With only 51 days until the Kentucky Derby, there was a new and better answer to an old debate: what comes first, the hat or dress? Tonight’s answer was, “The kids come first!”
Our region’s most comprehensive children’s charity gave people a chance to look fabulous for their Derby parties and feel great in the process. The third annual Hats On for Healing auction filled the Olmsted with hundreds of designer hats and shoppers not only looking for a great buy but also to help our community’s most vulnerable children.
“It’s awesome; I love it,” exclaimed shopper Susan Mersch. Actually, my sister-in-law in northern Kentucky, I’m sending her some pictures because she wants to get one, but she couldn’t be here in person.”
Whether through the Face It Movement formed in 2013, funding forensic pediatricians, physicians, healthcare providers, and non-profits specializing in prevention and intervention, Kosair for Kids has had a role in reducing instances of abuse and neglect. Proceeds from tonight’s Hats On for Healing auction benefit the Kosair Kids Child Abuse Prevention Fund.
“The debate is always about what comes first,” said event organizer Marki Hartlage. “But, tonight, all of the people in this room are proving that the kids come first.”
“This event is really important because our kids need people who care about them,” said Derby Princess Erica McPheeters, who modeled the hats up for auction. “They need support from events like the Derby to make sure we have money going into issues like abuse.”
Organizers are still tallying up the totals from the auction but hope to meet their goal of raising $65,000 for this important cause.
