Yesterday, December 4th, 2012, a large group of American Cancer Society supporters rallied and joined the fight to end cancer. This year marked more than 20 years  of fighting as a group… a stylish, fashionable, and fun group. The Holiday Wrappings Luncheon and Fashion Show takes place every December in Ocean City and raises funds for the American Cancer Society.

 

Women check out and place bids on items in the Holiday Wrappings silent auction on December 4th.

Local artists donated pieces to be auctioned off at the Holiday Wrappings event.

Raggamuffin models pose outside of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center with Regina Moran, a local Ocean City woman battling cancer. Featured image shows fashion show models during the event's grand finale.

The Holiday Wrappings Committee is comprised of many ambassadors dedicated to the American Cancer Society. Each of the individuals involved are extremely appreciative of the support from the local community.

 

“We are making a difference… more people are being served and fewer are dying from this dreaded diseases, “ said Dawne Pappas, Committee Chair, before thanking everyone in attendance for their support, during the luncheon.

 

The day included fun and fabulous Chinese and silent auctions. 50/50 raffle tickets were sold and the lucky ticket holder went home with just over $1,000. Candles were purchased by individuals who wanted to ‘celebrate more birthdays’ and placed upon a 4-tierd white cake covered in glitter.

 

Silent auction winners were selected throughout the day and joyous shrieks were heard as winning numbers were called. Auction items were donated by local businesses like A Perfect Face Day Spa, the Blue Ox, Bustle, Captain’s Table, Lucky Girl Bath & Beauty, Dead Freddies, Dr. Eschenburg DDS, Fisher’s Popcorn, Galaxy 66, Malibu’s, The Nest, and many more.

 

A gourmet lunch - consisting of pan seared breast of chicken, apple and honey studded smashed sweet potatoes and flower-themed cupcakes from Cupcakes in Bloom of Berlin – was served as a group over 100 women. The women are all friends, neighbors, organization members united by the same cause; raising funds and awareness to defeat cancer.

 

Centerplate, the team of quick food servers, restaurant staff, and chefs worked hard to make sure all event attendees were pleased with their dinners and enjoying themselves. One server, Theresa, joked and laughed with her tables as she presented them with their meals and took photos of the tables as they posed in their holiday attire. Centerplate is led by Gary Beach, an Ocean City chef who has won numerous awards over the years and serves on the board of the Delmarva Chefs and Cooks Association.

 

Around 1:00, more than 60 models sacheted down the Holiday Wrappings runway. The runway models – so of whom were cancer survivors themselves – donned fashions from local retailers. Two young skater boys zoomed down the runway wearing fashions from Coconut Kids followed by a group of other fashionable youngsters. Models wore fashions from Bikinis & More, Bruder Hill, Bustle, CraZy LadyZ!, Raggamuffin, Sea Quest, South Moon Under, Velvet Pearl, and other area stores.

 

The fashion show ended with a grand finale as models twirled Christmasy ribbons, the children walked out two-by-two, and one lucky little girl hit the runway holding Santa’s hand.

 

“The goal is to come together to enjoy this day for a cause. The American Cancer Society will continue to save lives and create more birthdays by helping people to stay well and get well, find cures, and fight back against a disease that has taken too many lives,” said Pappas.

 

For more information about how you can support Holiday Wrappings or the American Cancer Society, call Dawne Pappas at 443-880-3120 or email her at dpappo@aol.com. Check out photos from the event in the gallery below. Photos by Ami Reist.