Family experience

IF YOU GO

What: The American Girl Fashion Show

Where: Antone’s Banquet Center

When: March 7 and 8 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley invites girls and their friends and families to experience the American Girl Fashion Show on March 7 or 8 at Antone’s Banquet Center, 8578 Market Street in Boardman. Media sponsors of the event are The Vindicator and 21 WFMJ-TV.

Performances are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. The program showcases historical and contemporary fashions for girls and their dolls.

Proceeds will benefit local programs and services of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

The American Girl Fashion Show combines education, fashion and good will, creating a memorable experience for families. Matching outfits for girls and their dolls are featured as the audience enjoys the interactive showcase of historical and contemporary fashions.

More than 210 local models will present the fashions accompanied by commentary, music and decorations.

The historical clothing — from daywear to sleepwear to special-occasion clothing — resembles what the popular American Girl characters Kaya, Caroline, Josefina, Addy, Samantha, Rebecca, Kit and Julie might have worn. Contemporary “Just Like You” outfits for older girls as well as Little Girl fashions for younger girls complete the program. A limited number of guest-model opportunities are available at each performance.

The event also includes refreshments featuring a brunch menu for the morning shows and a light dinner for the afternoon shows, party favors, raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $30 per person and can be ordered online at www.akronchildrens.org/americangirlfashionshow or by calling 330-746-8712. Sponsorship opportunities and program book ads also are available.

A Grand Raffle, hosted by The Kids’ Crew of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, also will be conducted. Tickets are $5 each and can be obtained by calling 330-746-8712. Prize packages include a Rebecca Package featuring a Rebecca doll, book and Rebecca’s kittens; an Isabelle package including an Isabelle doll, book, accessories, Isabelle’s performance set and Isabelle’s pajamas; and a Kaya Package which includes Kaya doll with book and Kaya’s mare, Steps High. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the 3 p.m. show March 8. Winners need not be present.

Event sponsors include Denise and John York and The DeBartolo Corp., Gasser Chair Co., Huntington Bank, Insure One Benefits and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Petrarca.

The American Girl Committee consists of co-chairwomen Julie Costas, Betty Cmil, Diana McDonald and Atty. Shirley Smith along with Kids’ Crew volunteers Susan Berny, Irene Buccino, Cathy Campana, Georgia D’Andrea, Mary Dulay, Paula Jakubek, Gayle Kelly, Margaret Nigro, Dina Petracci, Michelle Restivo, Lori Ritchie, Carol Sankovic, Linda-Lee Siegle, Lois Smith, Kathy Sunseri and Pattie Welsh and Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley Staff, JoAnn Stock, Director of Development, Allison Engstrom, Development Coordinator, Sherri Mattace-Horvat, Development Assistant, Kelsey Kalasky, Development Coordinator, and Amber Gallo, show coordinator.

American Girl is one of the nation’s top direct marketers, children’s publishers and experiential retailers. American Girl programs partners with nonprofit organizations to present fashion show events to raise funds for children’s charities. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to celebrate girls, American Girl Programs’ events have generated millions of dollars for causes nationwide.

Akron Children’s Hospital has been caring for children from Youngstown, Warren and surrounding communities for more than 50 years. Ranked a Best Children’s Hospital by US News & World Report, Akron Children’s is the largest pediatric provider in northeast Ohio. Akron Children’s Beeghly Campus in Boardman is a 25-bed pediatric hospital, offering a 24/7 emergency department and surgical, radiology, laboratory, rehabilitation and EEG/ECHO/EKG services, as well as a hematology/oncology clinic and infusion center along with an 18-bed Special Care Nursery. Also based in the Mahoning Valley are a neonatal intensive-care unit, child advocacy, community outreach and education programs, and pediatric specialty practices in adolescent medicine, allergy/immunology, cardiology, genetics, nephrology, neurology, orthopedics, rheumatology, physiatry, plastics/reconstructive services, pulmonology and urology. For more information, visit www.akronchildrens.org/mv.