Fresh Start Raises Over $1 Million
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation is pleased to announce the tremendous success of their annual Fashion Gala. The event took place on Saturday, February 2 at the Arizona Biltmore and raised more than $1,000,000 in support of the Fresh Start mission, “to empower and educate women to realize their potential.” Fresh Start hosted over 600 attendees for the evening, all of whom enjoyed a cocktail reception with silent auction, gourmet dinner, New York-style fashion show and Club Jewell after party. The 17th Annual Fashion Gala was led by co-chairs Tracy Bame of Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold and Terry Roman of Snell and Wilmer.
The presenting sponsors for the 17th Annual Fashion Gala were The Arizona Republic/12 News and Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold. Carole Moreno was the 2013 recipient of the Founders’ Award, which was presented to her by the 2012 honoree, Pamela Overton Risoleo. Past Founder’s Award honorees include Ina Manaster, Barbara Anderson-Stoiber and Michelle King Robson. The fashion show featured looks from design Pamella Roland, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue.
“Watching the growth of the gala since co-chairing the first gala in 1996 has been amazing,” said Pat Petznick, Co-Founder of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. “I am truly overwhelmed by the continued commitment from the community, friends and family who have embraced the Fresh Start mission with their gracious and generous support.”
The evening’s emcee, Joelle Hadley, led the audience in celebrating Fresh Start’s 20th anniversary of serving the greater Phoenix area. The vision of founders Pat Petznick and Beverly Stewart began by partnering with a local salon to build women’s self-esteem, and today has grown into a full-service center providing women with resources such as personal development, family law advice and support, education, self-esteem, and career readiness and training services. Fresh Start programs empower women to change their lives and get a fresh start in achieving their potential.
