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The fashion show fundraiser for Golden View Elementary School taking place next weekend will be all about girls – those living today and others from the past. It’s an American Girl Fashion Show based on the historical dolls beloved by so many girls in this area.
“They’re educational and age-appropriate,” said Susan Keenehan, one of the organizers. “It keeps them engaged.”
Her older daughter Katelyn, 9, will portray Elizabeth Cole in the show, and carry the Elizabeth Cole doll. Elizabeth is a 10-year-old girl growing up in Williamsburg, Va., after she and her family moved from England in 1774.
Keenehan’s younger daughter Kassidy, who is in kindergarten, likes the American Girl Bitty Babies, which wear contemporary clothes.
“My mother got my children interested,” said Keenehan. “It’s a neat doll. It allows children not to grow up too fast.”
She said the Gator Fund, which raises money for Golden View Elementary, aligned with American Girl because the company is focused on creating girls of strong character that help their girls grow up in a wholesome way. The Gator Fund has the rights to the fashion show for the East Bay so is drawing its 120 models from all over the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and a bit beyond.
“They sent us clothing and the script, and we don’t deviate,” said Keenehan.
There will be four fashion shows on Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, aimed at girls ages 5-12.
“We had it in Castlewood last year – it’s such a gorgeous venue,” said Keenehan. “We want it to be elegant, a mother-daughter-granddaughter outing.”
The shows are at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and special refreshments will be served. “It will be kind of a tea party,” explained Keenehan. “The little girls get dressed up. A lot of times they bring their dolls with them.”
They can also be “guest models” during the intermission.
“The whole idea is having it be a positive experience and to sell tickets and help the school budget,” Keenehan said.
Tickets can be purchased at www.eastbayfashionshow.com. The Web site also shows offers such as guest modeling and drawings to make the experience fun and lucrative for the school.
“The whole goal is to raise money for the school,” said Keenehan, “and it’s a really fun way to do the right thing.”
The Gator Fund raises money to pay salaries including 10 teacher aides, a chorus teacher, computer technician, reading specialists and a librarian, said Keenehan. It also helps pay for textbooks, computers and other equipment for the children at Golden View, which draws from Danville and San Ramon.
The models are coming from Golden View, Sycamore Valley, Tassajara Hills, Vista Grande, Dorris-Eaton, St. Isidore, Bollinger Canyon, Coyote Creek, Neil Armstrong, Montevideo, Hidden Hills, Venture, John Baldwin and Country Club elementary schools.
Keenehan and the three co-chairwomen, Gina Flores, Jayne Riley and Michelle Zorovic, are hoping girls will attend from throughout the East Bay because the dolls are so popular.
“We’re trying to make it special,” said Keenehan.
Calling girls, moms and grandmothers
What: American Girl Fashion Show
When: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, March 21-22
Where: Castlewood Country Club, Pleasanton
Cost: $45 adults ($30 tax deductible) $40 children 10 and under
Benefits: Golden View Elementary School
Tickets: www.eastbayfashionshow.com
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