Over Memorial Day Weekend, we were all thinking about the best drinks that we had tasted in the last year.
Mentioned at the top of the list was Par 7 Vodka cocktails. Fashion First was able to get a taste of this delicious treat at the Rise n' Shine Pink Poker Party earlier in April.
Let us tell you, this is the vodka! Even the bottles look cool and delicious!
Yesterday, Rise n' Shine was featured in a King 5 News coverage for their work to help children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Fashion First Seattle is very proud to be supporting an organization like this.
by JOHN SHARIFY / KING 5 News
Posted on May 24, 2012 at 5:45 PM
Updated yesterday at 6:38 PM
“It was bad and I was angry. And I was scared,” said Ryan Hutchison, as he looks back 17 years.
Ryan was 13 years old then and had just received the devastating news about his father.
“I learned that he was gay and that he had AIDS,” said Ryan, who now lives in Austin, Texas.
Ryan didn’t know where to turn. His mom knew a place she hoped would ease her son’s pain and help him get through the most difficult time in his life. It was a place called Rise n' Shine.
“We created family,” said Janet Trinkhaus, who founded Rise n’ Shine almost a quarter century ago to help kids affected by AIDS. “What I believe family is, in the truest sense, you are there for your family members always.”
The hallmark of the non-profit is matching each child with an adult mentor who commits to four hours a week with a child for a year. Linda Chauncey was one of those mentors back then, matched up with a 13 year old named Ryan.
“He was a wonderful human being then at 13,” said Linda tearfully. “All those things were there. “
Linda, who is currently the Associate Dean of the Culinary Program at Seattle Central Community College, took Ryan to restaurants and museums. They did fun things together. They were in each other’s lives.
“And we talked about everything,” said Linda.
And even though the mentorship was supposed to last a year, in reality, it lasted a lifetime.
With Rise n' Shine, Ryan Hutchison received the best gift of all: a lifelong friend, whom he hadn’t seen in 10 years, until the other day.
“How ‘bout a hug?” were the first words out of Linda’s mouth after all these years.
They have a lot of catching up to do. Linda will learn that Ryan is paying it forward. He’s a development director for a non-profit that has programs to help children. Hutchison came back to Seattle to help Rise n’ Shine with a fundraiser. He told the donors that at Rise n’ Shine no one judged him.
“Nobody passed judgment on my having a gay dad with AIDS,” he said.
And he told them about his mentor, Linda Chauncey, who helped him get through those impossible times.
We all love happy endings. When I interviewed Ryan, I assumed his father had passed and I asked him how he dealt with his father’s passing at such a young age.
“He’s not dead,” Ryan told me. Turns out, Ryan’s dad survived and 17 years later is alive and well - a proud dad, no doubt, to see how his son has turned out.
Linda Chauncey shares that pride.
“You’re such a charmer Ryan,” Linda tells Ryan.
“You know why?” Ryan responds.
“Did I rub off on you?” Linda asks.
“You did rub off on me,” says Ryan.
Lucky Ryan and lucky Linda for having each other and for knowing this friendship, that began such a long time ago during some very dark times for a teenager, will last a lifetime.
For more information about Rise n’ Shine and the services they provide, including their membership program, you can go to risenshine.org. They’re always looking for volunteer mentors.
And speaking of mentors, the mentor of ALL mentors is the non-profit’s founder. In June of 2011, Washington State Mentors honored Janet Trinkhaus with the 2011 Champion of Mentoring Award.
This past week, Fashion First team member, Maggie Brookes, was on the prowl with Founder and Producer, Joan Kelly, for the hottest and trendiest footwear. The place to be to see the shoe styles soar was Wine, Women and Shoes.
It is that time of year again when the team members of Fashion First start buzzing around and making arrangements for the upcoming presentation of Fashion First in September.
So far we know that SmartWater is the Title Sponsor of Fashion First and we are more than thrilled to have them on board this year! Keep an eye out for more on SmartWater to come...
Things to note about this year's production:
1. It is going to be amazing and you do NOT want to miss out!
2. Fashion First's color this year is Pantone Fall 2012 Fashion Report color "French Roast." Mmmm I can smell the rich aromas already. How perfect is French Roast for Seattle? Not to mention how perfect it will be for the Fashion First Team this year as we work tirelessly to bring you the best show yet!
3. If you haven't been to Fashion First in the past, this is the year to start going.. and to bring all your friends.
Baby's got a brand new bag. Come out on Thursday October 6th at 6pm to the Rise N Shine Purses of Interest event and support the cause, swap a gently used purse for one you love more, and maybe even win a cool prize!
