Kids who have cancer will benefit from a fashion show and silent auction Thursday, where the actor who played Captain Harris in the "Police Academy" movies will make an appearance.

Prudential Florida Realty is hosting the second annual luncheon and Dillard's Fashion Show to benefit Sunshine Kids, an organization which helps children fighting cancer experience a normal, fun-filled day.

"It's similar to Make-a-Wish (Foundation)," said Beth Mancini, the local Prudential coordinator for the event. "They take these children out on events and trips with the proper care so they have a little bit of normalcy in their life and can be kids for a few days."

Prudential has adopted the Sunshine Kids nationally.

This year's local event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Resort, 5001 Coconut Road, in Bonita Springs.

G.W. Bailey, the actor from the Police Academy series who now appears on the award-winning show "The Closer," is also the executive director of the Sunshine Kids Foundation. He is scheduled to attend the Bonita event.

"He was there last year," Mancini said. "He's a remarkable man and goes to as many of these events as possible."

He also will be in attendance Friday at the Naples Beach Club for the Naples event.

"They will be doing a big, live auction," Mancini said.

A sell-out crowd last year prompted the Bonita Springs event this year to be held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Resort.

"We were able to grow by going there," she said.

Last year's event drew 150 people. As of Monday, 190 tickets had been sold for this year's event.

"We expect to have well over 200 people at the event," Mancini said. "Our goal is 248." And the group hopes to raise at least $25,000.

People who attend can expect to see real estate agents and friends modeling the latest attire from Dillards, which is providing all the fashions for the event.

After last year's show, which raked in $23,000 to help give kids with cancer a day to forget their illnesses, Daniel Kippycash stepped forward to promote the event — something he typically does for a living.

But, Mancini said, he has a young family member who had cancer and has volunteered his time, ensuring everything will go off without a hitch.

"He's taking care of the lighting and the sound and doing it all at no cost to us," she said. "He's even featured Sunshine Kids on his Web site, swflhomepage.com, and has been able to get a lot of (items) donated for the silent auction."

The auction includes a year's membership at the five WCI-owned golf courses, weekend getaways from the Hyatt, furnishings, hair stylists and many other nice things, Mancini said.

"We're very excited," she said. "We were concerned about the climate nowadays, but everyone just stepped up to the plate and was very generous with donations."

For more information, log on to the foundation's Web site at www.sunshinekids.org. For tickets, call (239) 390-4000.

E-mail Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com

Fashionistas and those in need of holiday gift ideas should head out to CocoWalk Holiday Preview Fashion Show on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Everything from couture clothing to surf apparel to budget-friendly accessories will be showcased and available for purchase from participating retailers in the outdoor mall.

The free event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in the CocoWalk courtyard.

Models will be strutting down an 80-foot-runway clad in a bevy of styles and brands.

Find couture frocks from Azul Boutique, resort wear from Palm Produce, evening wear from Divine Fashions and athletic gear from Sportive.

Also in the show will be designs from GAP, Maui Nix Surf Shop, White House/Black Market and Divine Clothes.

Stephen Licata, the owner of Palm Produce, said he is excited to debut his shop's new swimwear collection and participate in the event again.

``We had such a nice turnout last year and people came in and shopped after, so we are looking forward to having people see our new collections,'' he said.

Licata will be suiting up models in swimwear labels like Trina Turk, Gottex and Andrew Christian. ``We will also be featuring dress shirts for men,'' he said.

Boutique owner Ana Ortega is looking forward to participating in the event for the first time.

``It's a great opportunity for us store owners to work together and let people know we have a lot of great stores and prices here in CocoWalk,'' said Ortega, who owns Divine Fashions.

The event also offers store discounts as well as an opportunity for people to drop off unwrapped toys for Toys For Tots. For more information, go to www.cocowalk.net.

Kids who have cancer will benefit from a fashion show and silent auction Thursday, where the actor who played Captain Harris in the "Police Academy" movies will make an appearance.

Prudential Florida Realty is hosting the second annual luncheon and Dillard's Fashion Show to benefit Sunshine Kids, an organization which helps children fighting cancer experience a normal, fun-filled day.

"It's similar to Make-a-Wish (Foundation)," said Beth Mancini, the local Prudential coordinator for the event. "They take these children out on events and trips with the proper care so they have a little bit of normalcy in their life and can be kids for a few days."

Prudential has adopted the Sunshine Kids nationally.

This year's local event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Resort, 5001 Coconut Road, in Bonita Springs.

G.W. Bailey, the actor from the Police Academy series who now appears on the award-winning show "The Closer," is also the executive director of the Sunshine Kids Foundation. He is scheduled to attend the Bonita event.

"He was there last year," Mancini said. "He's a remarkable man and goes to as many of these events as possible."

He also will be in attendance Friday at the Naples Beach Club for the Naples event.

"They will be doing a big, live auction," Mancini said.

A sell-out crowd last year prompted the Bonita Springs event this year to be held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Resort.

"We were able to grow by going there," she said.

Last year's event drew 150 people. As of Monday, 190 tickets had been sold for this year's event.

"We expect to have well over 200 people at the event," Mancini said. "Our goal is 248." And the group hopes to raise at least $25,000.

People who attend can expect to see real estate agents and friends modeling the latest attire from Dillards, which is providing all the fashions for the event.

After last year's show, which raked in $23,000 to help give kids with cancer a day to forget their illnesses, Daniel Kippycash stepped forward to promote the event — something he typically does for a living.

But, Mancini said, he has a young family member who had cancer and has volunteered his time, ensuring everything will go off without a hitch.

"He's taking care of the lighting and the sound and doing it all at no cost to us," she said. "He's even featured Sunshine Kids on his Web site, swflhomepage.com, and has been able to get a lot of (items) donated for the silent auction."

The auction includes a year's membership at the five WCI-owned golf courses, weekend getaways from the Hyatt, furnishings, hair stylists and many other nice things, Mancini said.

"We're very excited," she said. "We were concerned about the climate nowadays, but everyone just stepped up to the plate and was very generous with donations."

For more information, log on to the foundation's Web site at www.sunshinekids.org. For tickets, call (239) 390-4000.

E-mail Valli Finney at vallimfinney@yahoo.com

Park Centre will host a Fall Fashion Show beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Park Centre dining room.

The public is welcome to attend the show, which will highlight the latest styles from Mode Huis.

For more information, call Natalie Chandler at (641) 791-4540.

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