Written by: TFVstaff • August 29, 2018• Miami

Fifth Annual Catwalk for Charity Fundraiser Kickoff Reception Dazzles the Crowds

Catwalk for Charity, a local nonprofit organization that inspires and empowers impoverished children in Haiti through education, hosted a kickoff reception at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bal Harbour Shops on Thursday, August 23^rd in anticipation of the charity’s annual fashion fundraiser. Nearly one hundred guests enjoyed a casual fashion show throughout the night and light bites. Guests who attended the reception at Saks Fifth Avenue received a personal shopping discount on top brands in store. Attendees also received swag bags, and enjoed complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails throughout the night.

: Claudia Coupet, Jean Raymond Alexandre

: Elysze Held and models

: Veronica Rodriguez & Claudia Coupet

: Genesis Davila, Miss Florida, USA 2018

: Adriana Ospina, Gianni Papazoglou, Victoria Legra

: Scott and Ira Anderson

: Adriana de Moura, Jean Raymond Alexandre, Carol Philip

: Judith Joseph & Rene Ruiz

Hosted by renowned Haitian-American actress Garcelle Beauvais and acclaimed WPLG Local 10 news anchor Calvin Hughes, Catwalk for Charity’s fifth annual fashion show and brunch fundraiser will take place on September 9^th at noon at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach. To purchase tickets, please visit http://catwalkforcharity.org/purchase-tickets/.

A portion of the proceeds from sales made on August 23^rd at the kickoff reception were donated to Catwalk for Charity to provide quality education for impoverished children in Haiti. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the nonprofit organization also donates back-to-school supplies annually to more than 2,100 Haitian children between the ages of 4 and 14 years old at PRODEV schools, as well as food and toys for the holidays for over 5,000 children.

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Fashion Meets Philanthropy: Catwalk for Charity’s Fifth Annual Fashion Fundraiser to Benefit Haitian Children’s Education

Actress Garcelle Beauvais and WPLG Local 10 News Anchor Calvin Hughes to co-host Brunch and Fashion Show on September 9^th at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

Catwalk for Charity, a local nonprofit organization that inspires and empowers impoverished children in Haiti through education, will be hosting their fifth annual fashion fundraiser and luncheon on Sunday, September 9, 2018, from noon to 4 p.m. at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, located at 4441 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. World-renowned, Haitian-American actress Garcelle Beauvais and WPLG Local 10 news anchor Calvin Hughes will co-host the star-studded event. The brunch will culminate with a fashion show curated by Saks Fifth Avenue.

Catwalk for Charity is a philanthropic fashion event that raises money to provide quality education for impoverished children in Haiti. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help support the organization’s annual initiatives, including a back-to-school supply drive benefitting more than 2,100 Haitian children between the ages of 4 and 14 years old at PRODEV schools, as well as the Breakfast with Santa’s Joy of Giving program for over 5,000 children.

At this year’s fundraiser, over 400 of Miami’s top fashion and lifestyle influencers, corporate executives, VIPs, socialites, tastemakers and press will enjoy a champagne brunch at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, a Saks Fifth Avenue pop-up boutique, silent and live auctions and a runway fashion show.

The charity was founded in 2006 by Haitian native Judith Joseph. Passionate about education and making a difference in underprivileged children’s lives, Joseph organized a group of professional women to plan and organize an annual fashion show fundraiser as well as other activities throughout the year to benefit the children in Haiti and the PRODEV schools.

Haiti is home to 11 million people, with children making up 54 percent of the population. However, 64.3 percent of boys and 57.3 percent of girls are unable to read or write.

PRODEV was established in 1995 and has provided education to about 30,000 children. PRODEV’s mission is to improve the quality of education in Haiti and to ensure that all children are not only attending school, but also thriving and learning in a conducive environment. After the 2010 earthquake, PRODEV operated 14 elementary schools and eight kindergartens in 10 camps around Port-au-Prince for up to two years. PRODEV schools are located in the slums of Haiti’s capital with the highest level of gun violence and poverty.

“Resilience of Haitian children is evident in their desire to attend school every day,” explains Judith Joseph, founder of Catwalk for Charity. “Our mission is to increase awareness and promote solutions to the challenges faced by these impoverished children. We believe that quality education is a fundamental right

of every child which is why the proceeds from our Catwalk for Charity fundraiser will help to provide access and resources for these impoverished students.”

Guests who purchase tickets to Catwalk for Charity’s Fifth Edition Fashion Fundraiser by August 23^rd at midnight will receive 20% off the ticket price. Tickets starting August 24^th are priced at $250 per person and tables of 10 are $2,500. For VIP/Runway seating can also be purchase on the website now $300 and $350 afterward.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting: http://catwalkforcharity.org/purchase-tickets/.

This year’s key event sponsors include Saks Fifth Avenue, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Petion Law, Michael Stars and Russian Standard Vodka.

About PRODEV: PRODEV is a non-profit, 501©(3)that strives to provide access to quality education to children in Haiti. Established in 1996 by Max Penette and Daniel Kedar, under the direction of Maryse Penette Kedar, the “Foundation for Progress and Development” focuses on the development of Haiti through positive initiatives, especially in the realm of education. PRODEV implements its projects with the conviction that all children deserve access to high quality education, regardless of their means, and that better education advances a community’s quality of life. PRODEV’s schools are free and provide students with a cereal bar and a hot lunch so as not to discriminate based on income. PRODEV also tailors its programs to students’ particular needs; for example, it offers transitional classes for older students who have been out of school to complete their elementary education and catch up to their grade level. For more information, visit http://www.prodevhaiti.org.

About Catwalk for Charity: Founded in 2006 by Haitian native Judith Joseph, Catwalk for Charity is a philanthropic fashion event that provides support and access to quality education for the disadvantaged children of Haiti. For more information about Catwalk for Charity, visit their website http://catwalkforcharity.org/ or follow on Facebook @CatwalkForCharityMiami.

Photo by Gerry Brierre: Scott Anderson, Ira Anderson, Judith Joseph

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