By Kathy L. Collins
The Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) will host its 11th Annual Kids Helping Kids Fashion Show on Saturday, October 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Hillsborough Community College’s Brandon Campus Auditorium located at 10414 E. Columbus Dr. in Tampa.
The 11th Annual Kids Helping Kids Fashion Show is presented by Publix Super Market Charities.
Children ages five to 18 can register to be in models in the show at www.echofl.org. Information on sponsorship and ways to help ECHO can also be found on the website.
Models choose fashions provided by Kohl’s. Each model receives two tickets to the show. Additional tickets can be purchased. Each model must raise a minimum of $100 to participate, but all models are encouraged to raise as much as they can. The model who raises the most money, will be crowned 2013 Mr. or Ms. ECHO at the show.
Over the years, students have come up with innovative ways of raising money, including setting up lemonade stands, selling homemade goods and soliciting funds from local businesses.
Donovan Brockett, Mr. ECHO 2013, was perhaps the most creative and successful student yet. Brockett raised an amazing $750 in one week using an online tool called FirstGiving. Brockett made a video asking friends and family to make a donation in his name to ECHO. People saw Brockett’s compelling video and made contributions.
Brockett said, “It does take some work to raise the money online, but it is worth it because ECHO is a great organization.” Brockett had the honor of representing ECHO in Brandon’s Annual 4th of July Parade sponsored by the Community Roundtable.
Stacey Efaw, Executive Director of ECHO said, “With so many children in Florida experiencing food insecurity, it is great to have a fundraiser where children help raise the funds. We could not serve over 16,000 residents each year, half of whom are children, without the support of children like Donovan and his family.”
If you like to model fashions and want to receive the honor of being crowned Mr. or Ms. ECHO, sign up to participate and view a tutorial which explains how to set up the online fundraising tool at www.echofl.org.
