Bellevue resident Mariko Kimball can’t remember when she was a patient at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
She was rushed to the hospital when she suffered from a severe asthma attack at the age of 2.
But now 9, Mariko can’t wait to help other children who are patients at the hospital. This will be her first year in the 5th Annual American Girl Fashion Show that’s coming to the Bellevue Hilton on March 19-20. Girls from across the region will grab their American Girl Dolls and walk the runway to benefit uncompensated care at Children’s Hospital.
Mariko said she saw her friends in the show last year.
“They said it was the best experience they ever had in life,” she said. “They’re normally not wrong, so I decided to try.”
So far, Mariko said raising money for other kids has been a great experience. Each girl in the fashion show must raise at least $100.
“It changes you,” she added.
Hosted by Star Guild, a member of the Seattle Children’s Guild Association, the show features local girls as models – many of whom are former Seattle Children’s patients. Models will feature the American Girl historical characters and will learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect historical times.
In addition, matching outfits for girls and their dolls as well as other American Girl contemporary and sleepwear fashions will be showcased.
Kirkland resident Claire Burianek, age 8, found out about the event from her mother’s friend, whose daughter was born premature and was a patient at Children’s Hospital.
This is Claire’s second year in the fashion show. This year, she will carry her doll, Bitty Baby Ballerina, down the runway with her.
To raise funds for Children’s Hospital, Claire recently hosted a dinner and movie night. During the dinner she sold “Kirsten’s Ginger Cookies” and “Molly’s Applesauce Cupcakes” – two American Girl favorites.
“I like American Girl dolls and the stories and stuff,” said Claire. “It’s really a good fund raiser. The more kids in it, the more money we can raise.”
Beyond the American Girl Fashion Show, Claire has also asked other kids in the past to bring money to her birthday party instead of gifts to support the hospital.
Emma Raker from the Bothell area is a fashion-show veteran. The 11-year-old got involved in the Star Guild five years ago. Her mother is a pediatric oncology nurse at Children’s Hospital.
Her most favorite part of being in the show is going on stage, though its a challenge trying not to be nervous, she says. She also enjoys “raising money for children. It makes me feel happy.”
This year to raise money she went door to door selling some of her old bedroom items, including pillows and blankets with butterflies on them.
According to show director Jennifer Ross, the Star Guild hopes to raise more than $100,000 through the fashion show. Due to the economy, the need for uncompensated care this year is expected to exceed $119 million dollars.
“We believe no family should ever have to choose between food and housing or caring for a sick child,” said Ross. “A great thing about our show, we teach philanthropy to little girls. Every model that you will see in the show has raised money for Seattle Children’s through a required model challenge.”
In addition to the fashion show, the event also includes a Marketplace with souvenirs, photos, raffle, silent auction and a Doll Hair Salon where girls can bring their American Girl Dolls to get a hair up-do.
American Girl Fashion Show title sponsor, Vera Bradley, will be selling their popular line of bags and accessories and Barnes and Noble will be offering American Girl books and gift items for purchase.
Tickets for the American Girl Fashion Show are $55 per person and can be purchased online at www.americangirlfashionshow.org. American Girl events have generated millions of dollars for worthwhile causes nationwide. The company is also coming to the Alderwood mall in Lynwood as the store gears up to launch a 12,500-square-foot store this summer.
