FIVE-HUNDRED TEENS GATHERED IN SANTA ANA FOR FASHION SHOW AND BATTLE OF THE BANDS

High School Students Put on Event to Raise Money for Youth Camps

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Student volunteers affiliated with the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted their 3rd annual Rock ‘N Runway fundraiser, Saturday, March 21 at WISEplace in Santa Ana. Five-hundred youth attended the event, which doubled the event size from the previous year. Youth ages 12-18 were invited to attend the event and rock out to three awesome local bands that contended for a gift certificate to Guitar Center in a Battle of the Bands. In addition, The Clinic and The Bolts, two featured bands which are signed to major labels, also performed. Volunteer teen models were the highlight of the fashion show, with runway clothing featured from Humanity for All, Respekt Clothing, Franco Shade, and PACSUN. The La Quinta High School DJ Band provided the soundtrack to the fashion show, boasting their mixing skills.

Rock ‘N Runway was hosted and put on by a small group of youth volunteers from across Orange County. The fashion show and battle of the bands raised funds and awareness for the Red Cross youth services program and leadership camps, which are open to all middle school and high school students in the county. Every year, more than 1,000 youth participate in activities with the Orange County Chapter of the Red Cross, concentrating on education, leadership, and volunteerism.

“Rock ‘N Runway is an investment in our youth, who are not only leaders of tomorrow, but also leaders of today,” said Nargess Akhavi, director of Youth Services for the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. “The students work very hard in putting this event together, and skills they are developing will serve them for years to come. Rock ‘N Runway is fun, and it’s for a great cause.”

The clothing donors feel the same way. Tammy Hotsenpiller, co-founder of Humanity for All said, “At Humanity, our main focus is making the world a better place by giving back, and by teaming up with the American Red Cross for the Rock N Runway event, we were able to positively impact local youth through fashion. Needless to say, we were very excited!”

All revenue from the event goes to benefiting the summer youth leadership camps for the Youth Services of the Red Cross. To check out the music, pictures, more information about the event, and to learn how to get involved, visit www.myspace.com/rocknrunway09.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The American Red Cross’s Youth Services is aimed at promoting leadership in the community of middle and high school students across Orange County.