The uppermost floor of the RI Convention center turned almost entirely pink on a recent Sunday afternoon. The decor was in celebration of a non-profit extravaganza called the Glitter Gala. Now in its third year, the enterprise was founded by “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” star Alicia Carmody.
A hair and make-up professional, Carmody leveraged what she knew best to bring joy to the lives of young girls battling cancer. “They are going through such hardship, I wanted to find a way to make them feel special and cared for,” she says. The program includes complete makeovers (and Hasbroian, Barbie-themed gifts) for each young lady, and an opportunity to walk a professional-grade, very pink, runway with a designated mentor, before an appreciative audience and photographers. Chaperoning the young fashionistas were other Real Housewives and a number of current, recent, and past Miss Rhode Islands.
The vibe of the event was overwhelmingly positive, with as much fun and frenetic kid-energy taking place backstage and in the preparation / make-over / gifting rooms, as in the main-event ballroom itself. MC and RI-based country music phenom Billy Gilman, excited to lead the proceedings, mentioned how much fun it was to create an experience which not only raised awareness for the fight against childhood cancer, but also created an experience that, even for the youngest girls, would make an emotional and enduring impact.
The Housewives crew was on hand, although characteristically mum about whether the event would be on the show, or to what extent. Rich DiMare, whose Sinatra homage featured prominently in the first season of the show, and show favorites Liz McGraw and Jo-Ellen Tiberi were on hand to talk to the press and had positive feelings about how the gala gave back and provided an unforgettable experience for the girls involved. Asked how the show had changed their own realities, most of the reality stars expressed that they weren’t really allowed to discuss that with the press. But outspoken Liz, an owner of the Slater Center Dispensary, who declined to return for the next season of the show, told us, “What I can say is the show hasn’t changed me. It’s impacted life around me, but I’m still me.”
Our only criticism of the event — we couldn’t find crackers. To fans of the show, an understandable, if far from epic, disappointment. Alyssa, please work on that for next year!
Ultimately, this year’s Glimmer Gala surpassed its goal of $100,000 by raising $153,809. Approximately 50 children and teens affected by pediatric cancer participated in the runway experience, and the event welcomed 510 guests, making it the largest and most successful Glimmer Gala to date.
“In addition to the cast members from ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,’ we were honored to welcome Grammy-nominated country artist Billy Gilman and Miss New York Lauren Norris as our emcees,” recaps Alyssa. “Ella’s parents, Cathi and Chris, joined us for a particularly special moment during the runway finale. Additionally, we welcomed Miss Rhode Island, Mia Daley and Miss Rhode Island Teen, Honisty Baker as mentors for the event.
“Speakers included Nora Kelly, 15, of Barrington, and Emerson Ford, 13, of East Greenwich, who are both childhood cancer survivors and beneficiaries of our programs. Sarah Wroblewski also spoke, sharing the story of her son’s battle with stage IV brain cancer, as he walked alongside Jared Haibon (of ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘RHORI’) in the gala. She is also a part of our inaugural Courageous Moms Collective cohort,” Alyssa says, describing the event’s impact. Expect more glitter and charitable outreach next year.