In a black evening gown and long-sleeve black satin gloves with her hair in a French twist, Susie Bornhauser was among a handful of Audrey Hepburn look-alikes at a fashion show to benefit Senior Concerns, a nonprofit organization that serves seniors and their caregivers. “We have so many people becoming elderly — more and more people are entering their 60s and 70s,” said Bornhauser, 62, of Westlake Village. “In today’s economy, many people don’t have enough money for help.” Bornhauser was among a crowd of guests who gathered Tuesday for the nonprofit’s annual 2nd Chance Fashion Show at Muvico in Thousand Oaks. The event, which began with a luncheon, featured fashions from local boutique Spice & Sugar, as well as items donated to the Senior Concerns Bargain Boutique Thrift Store. After lunch, attendees watched a screening of the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” featuring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. “Who doesn’t love a movie and popcorn in the middle of an afternoon?” said Janet Young, of Westlake Village, director of development at Senior Concerns. Last year’s fashion show raised $6,000. “We expect to double that this year,” Young said. Proceeds support Senior Concerns’ programs aimed at helping seniors and their family caregivers, including a new caregiver support center set to open July 1. “The centerpiece of the caregiver support center will be our new mobile unit that will travel to major employers, places of worship, senior centers and other community locations to bring support and services to family caregivers,” Young said. Proceeds from the event also will support an adult day program for people with dementia and other special needs, as well as Meals on Wheels, case management, senior advocacy services, pro bono legal and financial services, and community education programs. (View the Thousand Oaks fashion show slide show.) “The ultimate goal … is to raise awareness of Senior Concerns and the programs we provide to the community, as well as to raise funds to support these vital programs so we can meet the growing needs of the community,” Young said. The state of California cut all funding for Senior Concerns, said Linda Catlin, chairwoman of Tuesday’s event. “It went from $78,000 to zero, so we’re trying to raise money to support … programs that strive to give dignity to people in old age,” Catlin said. Joanne Pinner, of Thousand Oaks, attended with 10 friends. “I donate all the time to Senior Concerns,” said Pinner, 84, as she browsed through a row of gift baskets donated for the event’s silent auction. “What they do in our community is great so it’s important that we give them support.” More …
