The Mauldin News Desk: Amschwand Sarcoma Gala

Last Thursday night was the 2014 Catwalk for a Cure fundraiser for the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation. It was an incredible night and one we won't forget. My mom came in Tuesday to get the routine down for watching the boys (she was our babysitter for Thursday/Friday). Jeff and I left around 4:30 Thursday afternoon to get to the hotel (where we were getting ready/staying and where the Gala was being held). My hairdresser Danielle met us at the hotel and she did my hair and makeup, cause goodness knows, I needed help! The event started at 7 with cocktail hour. The room was filled with people by the time we got there. Everyone dressed to the 9's and looking great! We found Missy, the coordinator of the event, in the sea of people, and she encouraged us to get some champagne. We thought, why not? It's a celebration, right? Well, that one glass of champagne was $100! Little did we know it was a "fundraiser" at the Gala. You bought your glass of champagne and attached was a number. During the event, they would pull one number and whoever had that number went home with a $10,000 diamond. Well, I guess I could handle that! So we ordered up one glass of champagne and I savored it as long as possible! :) But I did not win that expensive diamond. Oh well, at least the money is going to a great cause. During the cocktail hour, we mingled a bit, although we didn't really know anyone and no one knew who we were, but it was fun just hanging out and people watching. We did run into 2 very famous ladies, the designers Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. We chatted for a minute, then they happily obliged our request for a photo. Around 8 we went into the main room for dinner and the program. The mistress of ceremonies was Deborah Duncan, a local tv personality. She was great! The honorees were presented with our awards, the videos were shown, then there was a live auction of some fabulous trips and jewelry and things, but we just sat in awe of the people bidding on them. Starting bids were $5,000 with most ending around $14,000! Oh to have that kind of money to spend! One can only dream of. Haha! After the auction, the fashion show started. It was Marchesa's entire spring collection. Really special for them to show it at this function for us. I love Project Runway (which Georgina's husband produces), so it was kinda cool to see something like this in person. After the fashion show, the Survivors in the audience got to walk the runway too. I was super nervous for this (Missy informed me 2 days prior that I would be doing it and I didn't even have my shoes yet!). There were 5 of us that walked. A young girl around 11 years old, her mom/aunt(?), me and 2 other older men. The young girl and her family member went first, then I was going 2nd. The older man behind me (David), helped me up the stairs then never let go of my hand! So we walked together, which was fine with me. Safety in numbers! Ha! We all stood together at the front of the runway and took a picture. So fun! After that, I believe it was almost over, so we ended up talking with random people and meeting some of the people that helped make the night possible. I even met someone that knows people from my hometown that I graduated with and lived in my neighborhood! Crazy! We ended up hanging out with Missy and her friends after everyone had left and stayed out till 2:30am! So much for getting some sleep being away from the kids. It was a great night and we have a lot of pictures, so I'll leave you with those.