Last month, local celebrities took to the runway to strut their stuff at the annual Benicia Fashion Show, sponsored by Christina S Fashion Destination (Christinasbenicia.com), owned by Benicia resident and City Council member Christina Strawbridge. Mayor Elizabeth Patterson graced the runway along with City Manager Brad Kilger, County Supervisor Linda Seifert, local attorney Stephen Gizzi, City Council member Alan Schwartzman, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin and Library Director Diane Smikahl. Strawbridge says, “This event has been going for 6 years and it’s grown so much. The city really supports it; it brings everyone together for a good cause. This year we also had a men’s store involved, Williamson & Co from Napa. It was a great time.”
The fanfare took place that the Historic Clock Tower and was a fundraiser for the Benicia Community Action Council Senior Meal Program, which delivers discounted meals to seniors. Viola Robertson, who’s been the director of BCAC since 1980, says, “We have a commercial kitchen here. We cook 5 days per week and deliver meals to seniors—we do about 65 meals per day.” Each meal costs about $6.45 to create and seniors are charged $3.50 or less, so the rest of the money must come from fundraising and donations. The fashion show raised about $13,000 for the program.
Benicia CAC also provides community referrals for those striving for self-sufficiency, rental and utility assistance, vehicle donations, employment programs, counseling, job training and wardrobe assistance for job interviews, among other services.
Photo above left: City Councilman Alan Schwarztman & Susan Hurl from Republic Services
Photo above right: City Attorney Heather McLaughlin
