WICKER PARK — Several off-duty Chicago Police officers ditched their uniforms and served as runway models in the Compass to Care fifth annual fashion show.
The spirited benefit — held Saturday night at Chop Shop's 1st Ward Events, 2033 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park, at the end of a celebratory World Series-winning week — raised $70,000 to help families of children with cancer pay for travel expenses such as gas, parking and overnight hotel stays, organizers said.
The real stars of the show, though, were Jamela Anthony, 5, and Charlotte Pisano, 2, who are receiving cancer treatment at Chicago hospitals.
Jamela and Charlotte joined the 24 participating "models" and emulated their moves, and in some cases the uninhibited young talent warmed up the older and more nervous participants, all of whom wore fall and winter clothing donated by Lord & Taylor.
In March, Jamela was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, a rare malignant brain tumor. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Lurie Children's Hospital and takes six medications daily, according to her story on the Compass to Care website.
Assistance from Compass to Care has allowed Jamela's mom to be able to drive to the hospital and pay for gas and parking, instead of taking a much longer and more uncomfortable journey on public transportation.
Founded in 2010, the nonprofit group was started by childhood cancer survivor Michelle Ernsdorff.
For more information, visit compasstocare.org.
Here are a few of the fashion show highlights:
Jamela gets the crowd pumped. [Photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
Compass to Care fashion show @ChicagoCAPS14 pic.twitter.com/z1zgxWnAlV
— Alisa Hauser (@DNA_WPB) November 6, 2016
An off-duty Chicago Police officer models a wrap from Lord & Taylor.
Jamela interacts with one of the show's participants and another off-duty cop shows off a preppy ensemble from Lord & Taylor.
Compass to Care fashion show #wickerpark #CPD pic.twitter.com/vExYoTyQ92
— Alisa Hauser (@DNA_WPB) November 6, 2016
Models strut and strike poses.
The show's finale, when all the participants got back on stage.
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