The community is invited to come out to the Lollipop Stop Children’s Fashion Show to be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 20, at the Holy Redeemer Event and Retreat Center, 8945 Golf Links Road, Oakland. 

“This is a grassroots benefit for Children’s Hospital Oakland as a gesture of appreciation for the quality health care CHO provides to the children of Oakland (and beyond), regardless of economic conditions," local businesswoman Valerie Cotton said. "We’re coming together to celebrate health, children and the children who have another chance at life through the compassionate health care of Children’s Hospital Oakland. Our accent is on how children can do fun physical activities to maintain their health."

The show is the idea of Cotton, who also is the co-founder of  Just Us Networking Association – JUNA. Cotton’s three sons have each been helped at Children’s and her youngest son survived a battle with cancer through treatment there.

The benefit is officially sanctioned by Children’s Hospital and Research Center Foundation and features students from JUNA community partners – Crocker Highlands Elementary School and Glenview Elementary School. The Soaring Eagles Tae Kwan Do Academy will give demonstrations and soloist Ashley Diamonte will perform. Clothing designers represented in the show include the Designer Diva, Tea Collection, Skylierwear and students from Laney College’s cosmetology program. Annie “Chocolate” Patton will be the Mistress of Ceremonies.

In addition to the booths hosted by designers from the show, beautiful and unique creations will be available from vendors including Sister Sassy Aprons; Demetrice’s Folk Arts; Duckie’s Buttons Photography by Shun Xii; and Angie B’s Hats & Accessories. Vendors will be open from 3 to 8 p.m.

Tickets are free for children 5 and under; $10 for children 6 through 12; and $20 for adults. Free parking and security are provided. For ticket or general information about JUNA visit junaevents.com or email Valerie Cotton or Donna Vaughn. 

About D. Jean Collins

D. Jean Collins is a freelance writer based in Oakland. She loves story telling, so she enjoys interviewing people about what they do and why they do it. Her interests include arts and artists, small businesses, spirituality and community empowerment. D. Jean Collins has worked as writer, editor and proofreader for a variety of publications and established her own company, Black Lotus Enterprises (d.b.a. Black Lotus Editorial Support Services) to provide those services to other writers and artists. She was awarded the Frances E. Williams Artists’ Grant in 2005. Her articles, interviews and essays have appeared in Accent/LA, GNOSIS, Essence, Arts in Society, Uraeus, and other publications. She was co-creator and editor of Urban Launch online newsletter and wrote the content for the premier issue of the Ethiopian/American collaborative website Anbessa Online Magazine. Her articles appear regularly in Oaklandlocal.com.