Fashions For A Cause

To the Editor:

On May 7, 2003, we were privileged to attend a fashion show organized by Newtown Youth Creating AIDS Awareness in Peers (NYCAAP). The proceeds from the evening were sent to Dr Rick Hodes in Ethiopia.

Dr Hodes, an American physician, has spent the last 14 years caring for infants and children in clinics and at the Mother Theresa Mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Many of these children are “AIDS orphans” and others are in desperate need of adequate medical, surgical, and nutritional care. Dr Hodes has been helping these patients with minimal official financial assistance but with a lot of good will, hard work, and donations from private organizations. NYCAAP members responded to the calling and organized a most unique fashion show. The participants modeled fashionwear designed by NYCAAP members themselves. They were relaxed, entertaining, and made it a most memorable event.

The town of Newtown should be proud of NYCAAP and its members. With a tremendous amount of energy and excitement, and under the commendable leadership of Jane Todorski, these youngsters are performing a most important task, spreading the message of prevention thus contributing to a decrease in the spread of the disease.

NYCAAP members are: Amy Doyle, Kasia Orzechowski, Kristen Wipperman, Katie Lahey, Allison Smith, Jack Sparacino, Jessica Budnick, Kim Racow, Erin Clark, Alexa Feldman, Daniel Amodeo, Kristen Amodeo, Melanie Beck, Sophie Cerreta, Sara Edgerton, Elsa Gillis, Amanda Hadgraft, Tory Marlin, Tara Meehan, and Michelle Paladino.

Laurie and Eitan Kilchevsky

9 Equestrian Ridge, Newtown                                      May 21, 2003