Panhellenic Assn. holds annual fashion fundraiser


These ladies are ‘Wild for Fashion’
Elmhurst Panhellenic Association’s Wild for Fashion committee members enjoy the festive atmosphere at their philanthropic dinner/fashion show held on Friday, Feb. 16 at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook. Pictured, (back row, from left): Kristin Grabowski, Sharon Wiechman, Molly Barrett; (front row) Alyssa Williams, Barb McIntyre, Lara Templeman, Stephanie Fowler, Deb Mendenhall.

Scholarship applications due March 12

By Marisa Mancini

For The Elmhurst Independent

Wild for Fashion, Elmhurst Panhellenic Association’s annual fundraising fashion show took place Friday evening, February 16, 2018 at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, Illinois.  Approximately 165 women attended the philanthropic event, and enjoyed cutting edge fashions presented by E Lounge Boutique, Enzee Boutique, Fifi’s Tailor and Custom Design, Hazyl Boutique, Kie&Kate Couture, Maxine Handbags and Accessories, redE Boutique, The Uptown Shop, and York Furrier.

“We were so thrilled that all our fashions for the show were Elmhurst provided by Elmhurst businesses,” said current Elmhurst Panhellenic Association President and Wild for Fashion committee member Alyssa Williams. “And we were proud to have two previous scholarship winners, Luisa Castellanos and Myra Bautista, help model the fashions.”

Other fashion show committee members included Sharon Wiechman, Molly Barrett, Beth Blake, Stephanie Fowler, Kristin Grabowski, Barb McIntyre, Deb Mendenhall, Lissa Parr, Lara Templeman, and Woody Ward. There are currently 77 members in the Elmhurst Panhellenic Association.

Event fundraisers included a silent auction with more than 50 auction baskets, which filled the entrance lobby of the Hyatt Lodge; an earring raffle, with winning prize of an exquisite 14 karat white-gold halo style diamond and sapphire pendant made by Elmhurst’s Hartmann Jewelers specifically for Elmhurst Panhellenic; special event wine glasses; and a unique Scholarship Tree which held special book ornaments for purchased in varying amounts – all of which went towards scholarships. Generous support for the event included Lakeside Bank, York Furriers and Hartmann Jewelers.

“In 2017, Elmhurst Panhellenic awarded $16,000 to ten outstanding Elmhurst women,” said Williams. “This year, our goal is to increase our fundraising efforts allowing us to award even more scholarships. Our foundation exists for the charitable intent of raising money for scholarships for Elmhurst women. “

Founded in 1931, the Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to Elmhurst women. These scholarships are awarded annually to graduating high school senior and college women who either legally reside in Elmhurst or attend an Elmhurst high school.  Candidates may reapply in subsequent years if they meet the eligibility requirements, i.e., the applicant must be a female resident of Elmhurst and/or attend an Elmhurst school; and be either a graduating high school senior or a current college student, or re-enrolling or continuing at an accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school.

Elmhurst Panhellenic will host an information session about recruitment for college bound seniors on Monday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Elmhurst Public Library (not a library sponsored event).  Scholarship applications are currently available at Elmhurst high schools and are due March 12, 2018.

Contact [email protected] for more information about its scholarships, or if you are interested in joining or learning more about the organization.