American Girl Fashion Show stirs imagination, aids the ailing

Imagine a table full of beautiful dolls, and though each doll is wearing a beautiful outfit, one is wearing one that matches yours. For the participants of the American Girl Fashion Show, that little-girl fantasy becomes a reality.

For the last 17 years, the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey has put on the event to raise money for the facility and families with sick children.

The participants model clothing straight from the American Girl catalog - a dress, nightgown, or play outfit - that is the real-life and person-size version of one from each American Girl story. More than 150 girls modeled historical and contemporary American Girl outfits.

Diana Gaft, 12, of Pine Hill, modeled for the second year in a row. On Sunday, she was dressed as Kaya, an adventurous girl from the Nez Perce tribe in 1764.

"Trying on all the clothes and looking like the dolls was my favorite part," she said.

Same goes for her sister Karina, 10, who also appeared in the show the last two years. On Sunday, she modeled as Josefina, a shy girl growing up on a ranch in New Mexico in 1824. "The clothes are my favorite," she said.

Ronald McDonald Houses are a home away from home for families with critically ill children who need a place to stay during treatment at major hospitals. The South Jersey house is in its 30th year and has provided support to more than 20,000 families.

Among the current houseguests who attended Sunday's show was Avery Lynn, 6, of Michigan, who over the last two years has been receiving treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Shriners Hospital for Children. Avery and her sister Tatum were two of the show's "runway stars," and they got to walk the runway with their own dolls during intermission.

There were many nervous giggles and a few tears backstage, but each walked with a matching doll - and matching smiles.

Dilyn Clarke, 9, of Cherry Hill, has modeled as three American Girl characters.

"The clothes and the walking are my favorite parts," she said. She also said she wasn't at all nervous, not even last year, when it was her first time. "I liked it; it was really fun."

The event draws a bigger audience every year; this year, it was so big a sixth show was added. Last year's show raised more than $75,000.