Aviva Valparaiso partners with Heart to Heart Hospice in Glamour & Giving Fashion Show Fundraiser
On Thursday, September 18, Aviva Valparaiso put on a fashion show for its residents and local community members. The Glamour & Giving Fashion Show Fundraiser was hosted by the assisted living facility in partnership with Heart to Heart Hospice.
Judy Kukelka, community education representative for Heart to Heart Hospice, is no stranger when it comes to fashion shows. When she was given the green light to help out with a show at Aviva Valparaiso, she was filled with excitement.
“There is this special day called Gorgeous Grandma Day that takes place every summer,” Kukelka said. “Several years ago, at one of the assisted living communities, I did a fashion show with the residents. I approached Aviva Valparaiso to see if they would be open to it. With Heart to Heart Hospice, we’re co-sponsoring the event with them to help organize and plan it out. We even have one of our very own staff members as a model.”
There is a strong relationship between Heart to Heart Hospice and Aviva Valparaiso, as both organizations have the same desire to provide compassionate care. This event is one of the many ways for both organizations to satisfy their mission.
“Heart to Heart Hospice is the largest privately owned hospice in the United States,” Kukelka said. “We provide hospice wherever our patients call home. We have some residents here at Aviva Valparaiso who we’re able to provide that level of care for with hospice services. This is another way for us to support the community alongside another great organization.”
Tricia Catlin, sales and marketing manager for Aviva Valparaiso, has a mutual appreciation for Heart to Heart Hospice supporting their organization with events like this one.
“We have many providers that come into our community,” Catlin said. “Most importantly, the residents have a choice. They can choose whoever they want to come in, and a lot of them do choose Heart to Heart Hospice. We get to do a lot of things with them on the side, but the fact that they can come in here is great for not only us but also the residents.”
Additionally, this fashion show serves as a fundraiser for 500 Turkeys, a nonprofit organization that is motivated to feed families in need.
“We’ve been doing something every month for either donations, nonprofits, or educational resources in the community,” Caitlin said. “This is one way that we’re able to be a part of it and give back to the community.”
The runway models had outfit styles based on The Closet Exchange. Kukelka credits Nancy Nielsen, who served as the emcee for the fashion show, for providing this opportunity.
“Nancy was in the healthcare industry with us for many years,” Kukelka said. “She was a person that we had networked with, and a couple of years ago, she purchased The Closet Exchange. We thought it was a great idea. She does a lot for the community, so what better person to be able to help dress the residents with her clothes?”
The judges for the fashion show were Debby Atsas, executive director of Aviva Valparaiso, and Ed Kubiszak, real estate agent with Weichert. The event showcased 10 runway models. Half of these models were residents of Aviva Valparaiso, and the other half were celebrity professionals in the community. This includes Jen Trowbridge with CoAction, Brie Zacharias with the Valpo Chamber, Toni Modglin with the Porter County Aging & Community Services, Angie Monahan with Life Care Valparaiso, and Alyssa Cole with Heart to Heart Hospice.
All five residents of Aviva Valparaiso were presented with award certificates for being the best in the show across different categories. The judges presented awards for Most Creative Outfit, Best Outfit, Best Smile, Best Makeup, and Best Hair.
“Our residents are the big winners, and this is their special day,” Catlin said. “All of our models got their hair done today. They were able to try on some new outfits. We’re all about bringing something creative to our residents, and it’s worth it when you can see everyone smiling and having a good time.”
Every seat in the audience was filled for the show. All of the attendees were presented with fruit cups before the show, along with food to enjoy after the award presentation.
For more information on Aviva Valparaiso, you can visit avivavalparaiso.com.