Tiffany Lavigne, left, Victoria Byington, 8, and Lexi Ceresa prepare for a photo shoot to promote Angel Charity's "Little Angels" Fashion Show that takes place next Sunday.

Other articles by Loni Nannini:

Museum fundraiser will feature local talent Fundraiser to benefit '45-mph couch potatoes' Event helps fund senior housing Her crew puts warmth in assisted-living center Survivor lets patients know they are not alone Charity poker party is hoping for full house Charity poker party hopes for full house They're out to save your skin Man honors late father with walk, activism PAWS teddy bears help children in crisis

Sales and Marketing
Davis Kitchens
Cabinet Sales Administrative & Professional
City of Benson
Planning & Zoning Director

The models on the catwalk may be a little bit smaller this year, but Vickie Butler and her fellow Angels' aspirations for helping local children are as big as ever. The proof hits the runway when 60 children strut their stuff and showcase the latest fashions at the first "Little Angels" Fashion Show next Sunday.

The fundraising event helps celebrate the 25th anniversary of Angel Charity for Children, an all-volunteer organization that has funneled more than $17 million into local children's causes since its inception.

"We are trying to focus on what we are all about: The children of our community," said Butler, 2007 Angel Charity general chairman, who is working closely with Fashion Show Chairwoman Stella Schaefer. "I think it will be a fun day watching the kids. Who knows what they will do on stage in front of a room full of people? But that is what makes it fun and entertaining."

Butler, an 11-year veteran of Angel Charity, said the pint-size models help drive home the volunteer philosophy that it is not the size of your clothing that counts, but the size of your heart.

"Being a part of Angel Charity has enriched my life; just hearing the success stories now and then is so rewarding," Butler said. "I think there is such satisfaction in knowing that by doing what we are doing, we have touched children's lives and given them hope that they can rise above their situations and become good, productive citizens."

Angel Charity is looking to generate hope and funding for two primary beneficiaries during its newly launched fundraising year: TMM Family Services and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona.

The Angels' pledge of $305,000 to Make-A-Wish will grant wishes for 45 Pima County children facing life-threatening illnesses; a gift of $671,900 will fund an "Angel Village and Receiving Center" at TMM Family Services (formerly Tucson Metropolitan Ministries). The funds will improve and enlarge current facilities, which provide a safe environment for up to 36 children displaced from their homes due to abuse or neglect, according to Debbie Mack, director of Children's Services for TMM Family Services.

Mack said the unique concept provides a main campus with a village consisting of five group homes in small, familylike settings that seek to keep siblings together whenever possible to minimize the trauma associated with abandonment.

"The best thing we can give the kids in this type of situation is adult attention, and gifts like this allow us to provide the physical environment necessary to help the children heal and develop and obtain social skills," Mack said.

Some of these young clients will model in the "Little Angels" Fashion Show, along with Make-A-Wish clients and other local children ages 4 to 14.

Butler, who grew up in a family "wealthy with love but not money" and now feels blessed to give back, said the children's involvement is additional incentive for her and her force of 150 active Angels.

"I think that unfortunately we have lots of children in need in our community, and as long as there is need out there, Angel Charity will be here," she said.