Cavs players Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, Jamario Moon, JJ Hickson, Anthony Parker, Danny Green, Leon Powe and Darnell Jackson may have the finesse and athletic grace on the basketball court that makes fans stand up and cheer, but can their statuesque appearance on the catwalk make people turn their heads? On the evening of Thursday, October 8th from 6:00-9:00 p.m., the Cleveland Cavaliers players will share the runway with pediatric cancer survivors, community leaders and models form the Docherty Agency for an unforgettable fashion show to benefit Flashes of Hope. The special fundraising event “Big Shots and little stars” will be hosted by the Cavaliers Better Halves (the wives and girlfriends of Cavaliers players, coaches, management and staff) at Quicken Loans Arena.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Flashes of Hope, a national nonprofit that changes the way children with cancer see themselves through the gift of photography and raises money for pediatric cancer research—and The Children’s Tumor Foundation, a medical foundation dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by neurofibromatosis.
Cavs play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod and wife Beth will emcee the event that will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and performances by the Cavalier Girls and Scream Team. The Cavs Better Halves will present a silent auction filled with hand-selected favorite items of all the players and there will be a very special raffle featuring pieces from Mann Jewelers and Louis Vuitton. Additionally, Fathead is donating custom Fatheads (peel-n-stick vinyl wall graphics) of local pediatric cancer survivors and a LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal Fathead.
Named “Best Event of the Year” by the Plain Dealer for the last three years, last year’s fundraiser, which was attended by more than 600 people generated about $170,000. Tickets start at $85 and sponsor packages are still available by calling 440-442-9700 or online at flashesofhope.org.
“We are excited about the event this year and the involvement of the Cavaliers,” said Kristine DiFiore, Flashes of Hope’s Executive Director. “We hope to exceed last year’s goal, which will allow us to reach even more children in 2010.”
The 2009 “Big Shots” features Cavs players Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, Jamario Moon, JJ Hickson, Anthony Parker, Danny Green, Leon Powe, Darnell Jackson and Cavs Legends Austin Carr and Campy Russell. Also featured are Sam Covelli (Covelli Enterprises), Steve Crandall (Elk & Elk), Chris Gorman (KeyBank), Hoby Hanna (Howard Hanna Realty), Ann Harlan (Smucker’s), Scott Miller (Time Warner Cable), Dino Palmieri (Dino Palmieri Salon & Spa), Holly Strano (WKYC), Bill Rowley (Mercury Plastics) and Michael (Olympic Steel).