THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030263
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORIE GOMEZ, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
Anyone stopping by City Hall on Secretary's Day this year may have been surprised to learn where the commissioner of the revenue was during his lunch hour. The real estate assessor also was missing, along with a member of City Council, a housekeeping supervisor, a sheriff's deputy and several others.
What were Commissioner Ray Conner and the others doing? Modeling clothes.
The occasion was the ninth annual Secretary's Day Fashion Show Luncheon to benefit Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services. Along with models from Charm Associates were quite a few familiar faces from local government, entertainment, television and business.
Sporting seasonal fashions from Proffitt's this year were: Mel Bass from Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services, Commissioner of the Revenue Ray Conner, Housekeeping Supervisor Jake Frazier, local musician Lewis McGehee, Alphonso Nation from Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services, Councilman Joe Newman, Bob Oman from Oman's Funeral Home, Brian Smith from WVEC, Channel 13, Real Estate Assessor Larry Street, Sheriff's Deputy Eli Webb, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member Frank Ziegenfuss.
``It's a chance to get to see another side of these people,'' said Linda Nimershiem, who co-chaired the fashion show committee with Lori VanHorn of Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services. ``And they think it's really neat that we ask them,'' she added.
They're not the only ones who think it's neat. The response from the crowd, particularly from the ladies, is always enthusiastic.
Frazier said he had a good laugh when the women from his own department cat-called and handed him money (all of which went to the volunteer program). Though he had been hesitant about participating at first, he was glad he decided to go through with it.
``I wanted to be part of the team - part of the effort,'' said Frazier, who volunteers for the Juvenile Conference Committee, a program of Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services. ``Everybody had a real good attitude,'' he said, and it turned out to be educational. ``Just being behind the scenes and watching the other models . . . you realize it's a lot of work!''
Just like the professionals, each model was outfitted at Proffitt's before the show, picking out what he wanted to wear and being fitted. Frazier got rave reviews for his sporty shorts ensemble, complete with hat and deck shoes. His one requirement? ``No Speedos!'' Frazier said emphatically.
Donations of time, talents and merchandise make the event successful. The fashion show was presented by Charm Associates, with president Barbara Lewis serving as mistress of ceremonies and providing the female models. All male models donated their time as well.
White's Nursery has been giving the event the feel of spring each year with a donation of potted mums. A local florist provided helium for the balloon archway, taking time out on one of his busiest days of the year to bring the helium out on the day of the show and teaching the committee how to fill the balloons. Indian River High School's Fashion Marketing class decorated the ballroom for the event, using skills outside of the classroom that they are learning in the classroom.
Other volunteers, such as Richard Meloni, who set the lights for the show, help make the event a well-orchestrated, polished event. It's one that many businesses return to year after year, reserving tables for office staff in recognition of Secretary's Day.
But then volunteerism is something that Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services knows a lot about. This nonprofit organization was created to provide support and motivation for youth, families and community through a variety of innovative programs for education, prevention and treatment. To do this, the organization relies heavily on the efforts of volunteers. With a growing number of people that need the organization's help and a current budget of only $776,000, volunteers and fundraisers like the fashion show are very important to Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services. Much of the operating budget comes from grant money, 30 percent from a City of Chesapeake human service grant and 19 percent from other government grants. The other 51 percent comes from local public and private foundations.
Last year Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services's 313 volunteers donated more than 33,000 hours to a cause that they believe in passionately.
Nimershiem works as the office manager at a local dentist's office most days, but on Friday she donates her day to Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services. She also gives them at least one night every two weeks.
``I read an article two years ago on the Effects of Divorce Program, and I wanted to volunteer,'' Nimershiem said. When she went into the Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services office a staff member told her about all of the other programs for which she could volunteer. So she posed the obvious question. ``Can I work with more than one?'' Nimershiem said the answer was an enthusiastic, ``Oh, yeah!''
``I get really excited about these programs because I see results from them,'' Nimershiem said. ``I get a great sense of satisfaction out of helping other people, especially kids,'' she added. ``They get lost sometimes. . . they need someone to give them direction.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
The ninth annual Secretary's Day Fashion Show Luncheon helped
Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services.
by CNB