Sparkles Foundation Hosts 3rd Annual Children’s Benefit Fashion Show – Asbarez.com

The Sparkles Foundation hosted its 3^rd annual Children’s Benefit Fashion Show luncheon on September 14 at the Torrey Pines Hilton La Jolla in San Diego.

The exciting afternoon of elegance, entertainment, and philanthropy featured high profile speakers, musical performances, a live auction and fashion show produced by San Diego Visual Productions, featuring 40 models of all ages, wearing designs from Macy’s Fashion Valley. Several students from local high schools modeled the latest fashions, including Ava Grace Nichole, the current Miss La Jolla and a student at Cathedral Catholic High School.

The event, emceed by Zanni Kalaydjian and co-chaired by Kathy Kassardjian and Dr. Anna Khachatrian, supported charities that fight human trafficking and support homeless, orphans and refugees, both locally and around the world.

Guest of Honor, San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, spoke about the importance of being vigilant in fighting sex trafficking in San Diego and beyond. Stephan also acknowledged and celebrated her Armenian heritage, as a descent of Armenian Genocide survivors.

More than $100,000 was raised to support multiple charities, including the Armenian Missionary Association of American Orphan Fund, serving children in Donbas, Ukraine, Lebanon, Armenia and Artsakh; Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, fighting child trafficking in San Diego; Trek2Share Foundation, providing health care to international war-wounded; Monarch School, supporting unhoused students and families; and Armenian General Benevolent Union, serving humanity with care and compassion.

The event committee included Kathy Kassardjian, Dr. Anna Khatchatrian, and Arpy Adourian, Nora Balikian, Thalia Hagopian, Viviane Hagopian, Zanni Kalaydjian, Rita Kanberian, Nora Kassardjian Belmer, Mariam Kutukjian, Suzanne Meader, Jesus Nunez, Sonia Serpekian, Gina Tashjian and Marisa Ugarte.

The next fashion show will be held on September 27, 2025.

To donate or learn more about the Sparkles Foundation, visit the website or Facebook page.