Bethany House models stun at fundraiser

Hundreds of people gathered to support Bethany House’s 20th annual fashion show fundraiser on March 15 at the Rockville Links Club.

Members and supporters of Bethany House — a Baldwin-based organization that houses and supports women, and women with children, experiencing homelessness — gathered at their annual “Fashion Show Fundraiser” at the Rockville Links Club in Rockville Centre and raised more than $20,000 for the non- profit organization.

The evening started with cocktails, followed by dinner and a the main event, a fashion show sponsored by Bloomingdales in the Roosevelt Field Mall and Denise Walsh and her associates from Mary Kay Cosmetics. Models like Shira Benedetto, a Long Island psychic medium, sported two outfits each throughout the night. 

Benedetto wore an Allsaints, Aspen Eugenia Midi Dress, which has a v-neck, elbow length sleeves, a midi silhouette, and front button closures, paired with a Kendra Scott, Heart Pendant Necklace, and a lobster clasp closure, with an adjustable sliding bead.

“We are so grateful for all of our neighbors who came together at our annual Bethany House fashion show to support women, and women with children, struggling to overcome homelessness on Long Island,” said Douglas O’Dell, Bethany House executive director. “It was inspiring to spend the evening with so many of our friends and neighbors who are committed to the Bethany House mission of breaking the cycle of homelessness on Long Island.”

The event offered guests the chance to participate in a “Chinese auction” of over 25 baskets, filled with gift certificates from local merchants and restaurants, and other gifts. 

A selection of grand prize baskets, worth more than $400.00 each, was also raffled. In one of the evening’s highlights, guests purchased over 300 mystery gifts, without knowing what they purchased. Mystery gift sales alone raised over $1,500.

Models during the fashion show were dressed in a range of outfits from a pajama set, to a glitzy evening gown. 

The models — Shira Benedetto, Teresa Little, Lisa Lowe, Kia Moore, Kerry Punzi, Gloria Romanowski, Vicki Rhodes, and Lisa Umansky — were women who run local businesses or and Bethany House affiliates.

“The monies raised from the event will go to support transitional services we provide our guests (financial literacy training, women empowerment classes, opportunities for job training), all in an effort to successfully transition our guests when they leave Bethany House into sustainable permanent housing and employment,” said Maryanne Pedersen, Bethany House Chairwoman.