Women’s Network 2009 Fashion Show & Brunch

The 25th Anniversary Forget-Me-Not Brunch and Fashion Show were hosted by the Women’s Network of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) on May 9, 2009, at the The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows. The Women’s Network is a group of volunteers who promote and support LSSI programs.

This event featured a raffle and boutiques, with the proceeds benefiting the Bonding with Books, an LSSI Head Start literacy program. Approximately $44,000 was raised by this year’s event.

The Bonding with Books program is offered at LSSI’s five Chicago Head Start sites in Humboldt Park, North Austin, Rogers Park, Uptown and West Englewood. From October to May, the program provides one free book a month for approximately 285 preschool children, and during that month, classroom activities and field trips relate to the theme of the book. The program encourages families to read together, and the books are the beginning of a home library.

“This is the 25th anniversary of the fashion show, and it has become a really wonderful family tradition during the Mother’s Day weekend,” says Marilyn Howard, Women’s Network president. “And the Women’s Network members have really taken the Bonding with Books program – which benefits from the show – to heart. It’s really a wonderful program and helps the families building a library at home.”

The fashion show featured clothing from local designers, department stores and specialty shops. Attendees at the event also had an opportunity to shop at special gift boutiques featuring designer and hand-crafted accessories, clothing and jewelry. There was a raffle for three exciting prizes, and, in recognition of the 25th anniversary, all of the past invitations were on display.