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UPARC's fashion show might ease fiscal crisis

Facing a loss of $1.8-million in state funding, the agency turns to the local community for help.

Since November, reductions in state and federal funding have cost the Upper Pinellas Association for Retarded Citizens about $100,000 a month, forcing UPARC to struggle and close five group homes.

UPARC officials anticipate losing more than $1.8-million in funding from Florida's Department of Children and Families by the close of this fiscal year, which ends in September.

But now some celebrities are coming to the rescue - via the runway.

Feb. 25, the UPARC Foundation will hold a fashion show and luncheon, "Open Your Heart for UPARC," at the Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor. The show, which UPARC officials say will be an annual event, will feature both professional and celebrity models who will show off everything from fashionable jeans to elegant formalwear.

Georgette Diaz, owner of Georgette's in Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa, is coordinating the runway portion of the event. She said this will definitely not be your mother's fashion show.

"It will be comparable to New York runway shows with professional lighting, choreography and music," she said. New Image Productions of Miami will supply the runway illumination, and Jackie's Dance Studio of Tampa will choreograph the event.

She advised spectators to "expect the unexpected" but did not anticipate any Super Bowl halftime-like wardrobe malfunctions.

"Just some off-the-wall fun," she said.

Models include local personalities such as WFLA-TV Ch. 8's Jennifer Hill, and Bay News 9's Jen Holloway and Gina Maravilla. Jack Harris of Bay News 9 will be the master of ceremonies.

In addition, actor Crystal Hunt will fly in from New York where she portrays villainous teen Lizzie Spaulding on CBS's Guiding Light.

In real life, however, the 19-year-old actor says she likes to help those who are less fortunate, such as her Clearwater neighbor who has Down's syndrome.

"UPARC has helped her out with transportation and finding jobs," Hunt said. "It's a great foundation that helps some of the sweetest people in the world."

UPARC's financial difficulties began last July when its $15-million annual budget took a $700,000 funding hit, said Pamela Miller, director of development for UPARC Foundation. Yet, she said, no clients have been turned away or denied services.

"We have 180 clients in residential care," she said, "and this is really having an impact." The staff has been trimmed and some group homes have been consolidated, she said.

UPARC, the largest association for retarded citizens in the state, serves about 500 clients a day. Its programs and facilities include 24 residential group homes, two highly specialized group homes for the elderly, a 25-unit apartment complex, and day programs at two campuses where living skills are taught.

Miller said she hopes the fashion event, which will accommodate about 600 guests, will generate about $25,000 for the foundation.

Recently UPARC clients painted ceramic hearts, which will be part of table centerpieces donated by Beckett Lake Nursery in Clearwater.

The centerpieces will sell for $10 each. Dinners, jewelry, wine baskets and golf packages will be raffled off at the event as well.

The "Open Your Heart for UPARC" celebrity fashion show and lunch begins at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25 in the Inverness Hall at the Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort, 36750 U.S. 19 N. Tickets are $50. Call the UPARC Foundation at (727) 797-8712.