By John C. O'Connell
The fundraising event was made all the more special this year because the PTA decided to donate half the proceeds to the Carbonaro We Care Fund for a Carbonaro family who lost someone in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.
Parents and other supporters donated over 145 raffle prizes and more than a dozen major prizes and grand prizes.
Hundreds of school parents and Carbonaro teachers, staff and administrators attended the happy event at Russo's in Far Rockaway, talking, dancing and having a great time.
Some of the teachers and parents even volunteered to model the fashions, as did a special group of teens.
Just a few of the people who helped organize the fashion were Co-Chairs Lana Plinto and Barbara Cestaro, who was also a raffle coordinator with Joni Seletsky and Angie Shirian; and Marianne Zawislak, Donna DelGais, Diane Dalli, Kathy Mullen, Eva Kolitsos and Michelle DiPierro.
The outstanding volunteer-models were Toni Ann Cannon, James Cestaro, Ann Jeffrey-Wilenski, Iris Santos, Elaine Sanchez, Peggy Sciortino, Renee Sacci, Dr. Alf Rasmussen and Maria Volpe.
The teen models were Jamie Cestaro, Jennifer Cestaro, Tara Conlon, Noreen Dalli, Nicole DiPierro, Lisa Fessler, Maria Kolitsos, Ashley Sanchez, Marissa Torres, Alicia Zang and Kim Zawislak.
Other than those mentioned, people who supported the effort through raffle-prize solicitation were Kelly Carr, Lucille Castagnola, Angie Fessler, Margaret Flynn, Ronni Harnaadts, Jill Hammelburg, Sharon Lupeke, Carole Meaney, Debbie Migliore, Kathy Neske, Kathy Palleschi, Rhonda Pavels, Suzanne Read, Joni Seletsky, Angie Shirian, Patty Walsh, Linda Zang and Nicole Zang.
Merchants who offered their services were Fussy Dresser in Woodmere, Feldman-Esquire Tuxedos in Lynbrook, New York and Company in Green Acres Mall and Salon DP in Valley Stream.
Photos by John C. O'Connell/Herald
