Children’s fashion show raises money for Yvette Cade Fund

Cade suffered burns to 60 percent of her body after her husband, Roger B. Hargrave doused her with gasoline and set her on fire at a Clinton T-Mobile store where she worked. Hargrave was charged and convicted of first- and second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, and is serving life imprisonment.

The event, the third annual DeBraux Parker Foundation’s ‘‘I Am Somebody” children’s fashion show, was held at Surratts-Clinton Memorial Library. It was arranged by the DeBraux Parker Foundation, an organization in its formative stages, whose mission is to provide assistance to families and individuals who encounter unforeseen setbacks.

According to DeBraux founder Kimberly K. Parker of Temple Hills, having the children wear something from their wardrobe keeps costs for parents to a minimum.

‘‘I figured if those pieces were in good condition, why not showcase the garment for others to see,” Parker said.

Parker said she got the idea to hold the fashion show in 2006 when she saw Cade featured on Oprah’s show.

A woman who appeared at the same time on the Oprah show said she was raising money to help Cade defray rehabilitation expenses.

‘‘The segment aired and this caring woman simply contacted her friends, family and clients and told them she was accepting donations on behalf of Ms. Cade at her place of business,” Parker said. ‘‘Almost immediately, I remembered my desire to have a fashion show [also to raise funds], and I knew that it would not take much for me to send e-mails and make calls to my family and friends, share my vision and purpose for the fashion show, and make it happen.”

Within three weeks, Parker said she had been granted permission from the Yvette Cade Fund to host the fundraising event, secured a location, and had 10 models in place and ready to go.

The first event raised $600 and last year’s event pulled in $2,400, with all proceeds going to Cade. This year’s event raised $1,460.

Khalil Parker, 9, was one of the models.

‘‘It’s really fun and I like to model a lot. It is also really important to help people,” Parker said.

Kenneth Parker, Kimberly Parker’s husband, said that the event helps raise awareness about domestic violence.

‘‘We know that it is not going away. We understand that a lot of women and families are directly or indirectly affected by domestic violence,” Kenneth Parker said.

‘‘It’s beautiful that the kids are coming out and participating for the cause; it’s just dynamic,” said Theodore Hammond, the father of 4-year-old model Malachi Hammond.

Kimberly Parker said she does not want the community to forget about Yvette Cade.

‘‘Everyone in the beginning pulls our resources together, but what happens when the lights go off. My desire is to make sure that the community doesn’t forget about her.”

For more information about the foundation, visit www.writingmomma.com, or call 240-478-4527. To donate to the Yvette Cade Trust, visit www.yvettecadefund.org.