News
Festival of Trees Fashion Show a Success
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - The Lake city got a little more chic this past week as models from across the area converged on Coeur d'Alene for the Festival of Trees Fashion Shows. It was an event that helped benefit children's services at Kootenai Health.
"I don't know if the event could have went any better," says Chrissy Wortman who along with Jeanne Norton has produced the fashion show for the last five years. "From the crowd to the fashions it was a huge success."
The two shows, running in both the afternoon and evening last Monday, brought more than thirty local boutiques and national chains together showing off fashions for all ages. Styles ranged from high fashion to swimwear with models running the gamut from toddlers to seasoned veterans.
But the real magic of the show beyond that of Nick Norton belonged to a young pair of models. Those being the brother and sister combo of four-year-old Anthony and eight-year-old Emily Rankin, whose appearance on the runway in an old fashioned red wagon brought the crowd to their feet.
Little Anthony or Ant as so many know him, represented the hundreds of children who will benefit from the proceeds raised at the 20th Festival of Trees. Anthony was born with a rare condition called Maffucci's syndrome. Bone and cartilage deformities typical of the syndrome led to the amputation of his right leg this past August.
Anthony's infectious smile and positive attitude, despite all he's gone through, helped make the entire event a success.
"Children like Anthony who go through so much are an inspiration to us all," says Teri Farr, Executive Director of the Kootenai Health Foundation. "When you see how he keeps a smile on his face in spite of all of his challenges, you can't help but view your world differently."
Nearly a thousand people attended the two Festival of Trees Fashion Shows. Thanks to this impressive support from the community along with dedicated help of Kootenai Health Foundation volunteers, the 20th Festival of Trees lived up to this year's theme as A Grand Celebration.