September 2007
A&U Magazine

Pink and purple balloons anchored to benches on the Long Island campus of Adelphi University led the way to the first annual Shortstack Charity Fashion Show this past June.

Attendees were greeted by three long tables of silent auction packages, from Morrissey concert tickets to airline tickets, as well as a LIFEbeat table sporting a fantasia of colorfully wrapped condoms. The runway set up in the University Center saw several walks, led off by the premiere of Sarah Jessica Parker’s fashion line, Bitten. J’Tor designs, by Joann, was another standout. Attendees were treated to the jazz fusion sounds of the white-suited, aqua-shirted trio, In Pure Thought. Throughout the night, comedian and actress Kim Cea served as emcee.

The Unsung Hero Award was presented by Hal Eisenberg, and his sister Debbie Noto, in honor of their aunt, Barbara Harmon, to Dr. Christine Casey, a preschool education pioneer who developed computer software for students with special needs. Spoken-word artist Jessica Jones, actor Harrison Chad, and Joe Rock also lent their support to the evening. Funds raised benefited Window of Opportunity’s and Living Beyond Belief’s HIV/AIDS Peer Empowerment Program. The final walk of the night fittingly ended with an HIV/AIDS Walk, with “We All Have AIDS” emblazoned on many of the models’ T-shirts, which were graciously donated by Kenneth Cole.