By Carrie Wood
cwood@kirklandreporter.com
Bellevue resident Mariko Kimball can’t remember when she was a patient at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
She was rushed to the hospital when she suffered from a severe asthma attack at the age of 2.
But now at the age of 9, Mariko can’t wait to help other children who are patients at the hospital. This will be her first year in the 5th Annual American Girl Fashion Show that’s coming to the Bellevue Hilton on March 19-20. Girls from across the region will grab their American Girl Dolls and walk the runway to benefit uncompensated care at Children’s Hospital.
Mariko said she saw her friends in the show last year.
“They said it was the best experience they ever had in life,” she said. “They’re normally not wrong, so I decided to try.”
So far, Mariko said raising money for other kids has been a great experience. Each girl in the fashion show must raise at least $100.
“It changes you,” she added.
Hosted by Star Guild, a member of the Seattle Children’s Guild Association, the show features local girls as models – many of whom are former Seattle Children’s patients. Models will feature the American Girl historical characters and will learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect historical times.
In addition, matching outfits for girls and their dolls as well as other American Girl contemporary and sleepwear fashions will also be showcased. New this year, the 2011 American Girl Doll of the Year, Kanani from the Hawaiian Islands, will be featured and will bring some special surprises to the show.
The event also includes a Marketplace with souvenirs, photos, raffle, silent auction and a Doll Hair Salon where girls can bring their American Girl Dolls to get a hair up-do.
American Girl Fashion Show title sponsor, Vera Bradley, will be selling their popular line of bags and accessories and Barnes and Noble will be offering American Girl books and gift items for purchase. It addition, Barrier Motors will have a car on-site collecting items for Project Giggle. Marketplace opens one hour before each show and admittance is free of change.
“We provide a wonderful event for girls to share with their mothers, friends and family,” said Jennifer Ross, show director. The event raises needed money for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. This year, due to the economy, the need for uncompensated care is expected to exceed $119 million dollars. “We hope to raise over $100,000 through the American Girl Fashion Show. We believe no family should ever have to choose between food and housing or caring for a sick child,” said Ross. “A great thing about our show, we teach philanthropy to little girls. Every model that you will see in the show has raised money for Seattle Children’s through a required model challenge.”
American Girl dolls and accessories are favorite collector items for girls ages 3–12. Many of the dolls come from historical times such as the Civil War era, the Great Depression or World War II, while others hail from more modern times. Each doll comes with a story that highlights friendship, community and self-esteem, making them both fun and educational. The American Girl Fashion Show brings the dolls to life. This year American Girl is celebrating their 25th Anniversary!
Tickets for the American Girl Fashion Show are $55 per person and can be purchased online at www.americangirlfashionshow.org.
American Girl events have generated millions of dollars for worthwhile causes nationwide. The company is also coming to the Alderwood mall in Lynwood as the store gears up to launch a 12,500-square-foot store this summer.
Carrie Wood is editor of the Kirkland Reporter. She can be reached at editor@kirklandreporter.com or 425.822.9166 ext 5050.
