Ask about the Benari Gift Card
|
Road to the Red Carpet: September 21st, 2008
Description: The Road to the Red Carpet via Chester County: How did I get there?
The red carpet, the walkway of the stars, the paparazzi‘s playground. Lights, cameras, microphones, and stars everywhere - so how did I get there? I didn’t star in a movie or a television show, I didn’t write an amazing script or direct or produce an award winning movie or documentary - so how did I get there?
My role is quite ordinary. It is not glamorous, but its impact is remarkable. Cast several years ago with the Great Guy Group, the Big 5 NCAA Coaches and their wives, the American Cancer Society and numerous other local organizations, our roles are to help bench cancer once and for all. It is a position that I hope will be eliminated in my lifetime when cancer will no longer be a threat.
So how did I get there? Through a silent auction at the 5th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Game, held in April each year in Philadelphia. As I told my husband, we won, meaning I had successfully bid on 2 tickets to attend the 60th Prime time Emmy Awards.
So a not-so-famous local gal who makes her career helping families burdened by the cancer experience, Lisa Natalizio Booth, an executive member of the Great Guy Group, headquartered in Malvern, PA walked the red carpet. But what to wear? How could she begin to be dressed for this star studded event?
Well, two very prominent partners of the Great Guy Group, Van Cleeve Collection on Lancaster Avenue in Paoli and Benari Jewelers on Main Street in Exton (both who contribute a portion of their sales at store held events to the Great Guy Group) heard of my situation and quickly came to the rescue. Treating me as if I were an award winning celebrity, they transformed me into a Hollywood Diva. Van Cleeve customized a beautiful fuchsia (had to have this color) Badgley Mischka gown that was no longer available in my size. So Deborah said, "We will create a Badgley Mischka Van Cleeve original," - and she did. The entire back of the dress was redesigned and looked amazing.
But what about the bling??? No fear! Another partner of the Great Guy Group, Benari Jewelers, offered to complete my outfit. Jacob and his staff looked at the gown and then brought in jewelry to complete a runway look. They provided a knock out two strand magnificent 20 carat diamond necklace from Gregg Ruth valued at $63,000, and a beautiful 5 strand 15 carat diamond cuff bracelet from Gregg Ruth valued at $42,500. OOH LA LA. I was star struck...
So through my partners here in Chester County, my road to the red carpet was paved. Back to reality, the gown is hung up, the diamonds have been returned and I am once again playing the role of a lifetime – to do everything I can to eliminate cancer once and for all and eliminate the pain and sadness it inflicts in all of our lives. No auditions are necessary to join my cast; just go to www.Greatguys.org and you'll be playing a role of a lifetime.
|