The Reinvention of Me: What Comes Next

Last year, for the first time, I participated in Luke’s Wings Fashion Takes Flight – a fundraising fashion show that included real members of the military, modeling the latest collections from Saks Fifth Avenue (Tysons Galleria), Aram, Ella Rue and more.   (Video below and recap can be found here.)

I also wrote about why this organization matters so much to not just me, but the soldiers and their families as well.

This year, we have even more reason to celebrate, as Luke’s Wings has hit some major milestones, not just making this an annual must-attend event, but also a celebration.  In the last year, Luke’s Wings has had some major accomplishments, including (but not limited to):

• Raising $32,000 at the 3rd annual Fashion Takes Flight
• Receiving a $300,000 grant
• Partnering with the Rumsfeld Organization
• Receiving a donation from Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Receiving countless donations and accolades from generous donors and sponsors for their tireless work
• Having brought hundreds of families and soldiers together

This is no longer just a local charity – it has gone national.  It has gained the interest of politicians, other military organizations, military leaders, government leaders and many many troops across the world.  While you may hear of some of the glitzier things, what you don’t see is the hard work the supporters of Luke’s Wings put in behind the scenes, including many trips to military hospitals, fundraising meetings, meet and greets, attending countless networking events, as well as making sure some of these soldiers are reconnected to their loved ones.

You see, it’s no longer about the “who’s who” in the DC social scene supporting a local charity -  it’s the “who’s who” in the national military, government and political scenes that are gaining traction – and fast.  Luke’s Wings is a fantastic “connector” that allows these two worlds to collide for a common goal: to make sure that those that are protecting our freedom are taken care of, giving us all an opportunity to thank them for allowing us to continue to live in a country where freedom is what we stand for.

As such, a veteran volunteer to the organization, Kristen Murdock (USNA), will be walking the runway her final time, before she heads back to Afghanistan for a year.  If for any reason to attend Fashion Takes Flight this year, give her a proper send off – thank her for her hard work, both in protecting us, as well as giving back to soldiers that are less fortunate.  Details below:

This Year’s Fashion Takes Flight (Official Press Release)

Luke’s Wings is pleased to announce its 4th annual runway fundraiser, Fashion Takes Flight, on February 4th, 2012 at Nationals Park! Join us for cocktails, and an exhibition of some of the District’s finest threads modeled by our servicemen and women as part of our fourth anniversary celebration and 2012 kick-off campaign.

With sweeping panoramic views of the stadium on one side and two story windows overlooking the river and monuments on the other, in the Stars and Stripes VIP Lounge, Luke’s Wings supporters will enjoy Peroni beer, specialty cocktails by Van Gogh Imports crafted specifically for Fashion Takes Flight and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Come mix and mingle among DC’s most fashionable, in one of the most unique venues in our nation’s capital- Nationals Park! A private tour of the dugout and batting cages will also be available to all attendees.

Over the years, the popularity of Fashion Takes Flight has grown, as attendees watch models and military service men and women ‘take flight’ in a swank, high energy runway exhibition highlighting cutting edge fashion by some of the District’s freshest new talent. Philanthropists and fashionistas alike come together to support an organization that aims to assist the families of those who serve.

Special guests include Deejay Neekola and our fabulous MC Natasha Barrett! Amazing styling by PR@Partners, Megan Riddle Make-Up, Blend, and the runway collections of some of the best local runway talent DC has to offer, including Nam Nguyen and Walish Gooshe!

After an amazing evening of supporting our wounded warriors overlooking the baseball field from the Stars and Stripes VIP Lounge, you are invited to join us at Lincoln for an Americana After Party.

Event Hosted by: Charlotte Jarrett, Kristen Murdock, Nichole Devolites, Mackenzie Miles, Lindsay Kin and Fletcher Gill.

Event Details:
February 4, 2012
VIP Reception (includes reserved seating) 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Open Reception – 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fashion Takes Flight – 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
After Party at Lincoln – 11:00 pm – 2:00 am

Step Right Up, and get your tickets HERE

TICKETS:
VIP: $135
Includes:
·         VIP cocktail reception with event hosts, models, honored guests, government leadership, sponsors
·         Exclusive access to the VIP Lounge. Lounge includes private, heated balconies overlooking the baseball stadium
·         Reserved Seat for runway show
·         Gourmet fare
·         Passed Champagne
·         VIP gift bag
·         Free Parking
·         Invitation to our exclusive after-party at Lincoln

General Admission: $85
Includes:
·         Open bars
·         Gourmet fare
·         Access to fashion show
·         Free Parking
·         Invitation to our exclusive after-party at Lincoln

MEDIA NOTE: All media attendees who are interested in covering the event must register by Thursday, February 2, 2012.  Please register by emailing our Public Relations Director, Mackenzie Miles at publicrelations@lukeswings.org with your name, title, and publication.

Last week I wrote a post about why it was I made a choice to be a part of the Executive Committee for this year’s Fashion Takes Flight.  This week, I am proud to say I can prove why.

Just under one month ago, the Executive Committee of Rachael Glaws, Kristen Murdock, Lindsay Kin, Mackenzie Miles, Fletcher Gill and myself got together to discuss the show. Just under one month later, it became a reality.  Here are the highlights:

The event was held in the grand ballroom of Adams Morgan Mansion, which is now Stroga Yoga.  The VIP guests were treated to champagne (many thanks to the Fly Lounge girls for serving), hors d’ oeuvres (thanks to Peacock Cafe and Purple Onion Catering) and violin music from the very talented Raea Leinster.  At promptly 9:00pm, the upstairs was open for people to mingle at two more bars, while listening to the sounds of Seyhan and watching moving military videos on two 60″ flat screen TVs.  Natasha Barrett, the emcee for the evening, welcomed everyone to the show and the National Anthem was sung by Samantha Dredge.  When the lights went down, the runway lit up and the sounds of aircrafts filled the air.  All eyes were glued to the flat screens that now illuminated the entire room.  Lights flashed, the helicopter sounds came closer and the fog machine gave us an instant feeling of being on an aircraft carrier.  Things went dark and the spot lights came on, with the men starting out the show in custom-made Don Patron shirts.  This was followed by Ella Rue, Saks Fifth Avenue Galleria for men and Aram for women. The finale was giving our military models one final walk down the runway in their uniforms.

To close the show, Fletcher gave some wonderful remarks, followed by a moving video of some of the families that have benefitted from Luke’s Wings.  MSA then presented Luke’s Wings with a check.  This check, amongst many other donations (including ticket sales, silent auction items and other forms of donations) raised about $20,000 (so far).

There are so many thank you’s to be given for such a successful event.  Please forgive me if not everyone is listed: Fletcher Gill, Lindsay Kin, Rachael Glaws, Kristen Murdock, Mackenzie Miles, Alfredo Flores, Daniel Swartz, Nakeva Corothers, Seyhan Duru, all of the models, all of the volunteers and all of the attendees!!!! Also, a special THANK YOU to my sister Cassie Devolites for flying from Colorado Springs to represent Air Force!!!