Patricia O’Reilly Paulsen, CORR Board Member
This is the fourth year that CORR (Community Outreach Robson Ranch), led by Betty Peterson, president, has presented “Evening In Paris” in conjunction with Dillard’s to raise funds to support CORR’S mission: “To make a positive impact on the lives of school children in need in our neighboring communities by improving their self-esteem, attendance and academics.”
Mr. Hippolito, Dillard’s manager, closed the store at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. In advance of this special evening he also advertised the event with posters in the store and printed all the tickets for CORR. Dillard’s contributed six gift baskets and provided an entertaining way to win them. Mr. Hippolito also served as the MC of the fashion show, which is the highlight of the evening. This year models for the show included volunteers from Eloy as well as Robson Ranch and included children and grandchildren of these residents.
The first 100 attendees at Evening In Paris received a gift card from Dillard’s to shop with that evening. Every attendee received a special key to try to open treasure boxes placed in six departments of the store. If your key opened a treasure box, you won one of the six gift baskets from Dillard’s. The gift baskets were two wardrobe prizes, one handbag prize and three cosmetic baskets.
Another creative way to win a prize was to find the hidden picture. Several pictures of Tyler Friese, the grandson of one of CORR’S board members, Sandy Christopher, were hidden in various departments. Anyone finding one of Tyler’s pictures turned it in to the customer service department for a prize.
The following restaurants provided delicious food samples for free for the attendees: Olive Garden, spaghetti; Mimi’s, muffins; Rubio’s, fish tacos; Culver’s, ice cream.
Robson Ranch, appetizers were provided by Chef Austin Pascucci and wine and beer for purchase. The Willis husband and wife team from Tucson entertained at the Robson Ranch tent outside, at the front of Dillard’s.
Ticket sales and other generous donations made this an extremely successful event.
It’s All About the Kids!