By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR Fashion was the draw. But helping kids was the inspiration. Local fitness icon, Lori-Ann Marchese of Body Construct LLC in New Britain, was tapped as a brand ambassador for Athleta—the fitness wear retailer. And Marchese said Athleta wanted to throw a celebration party for her at its store in the Westfarms Mall, where Bristol’s Gina Prentiss serves as assistant store manager and community relations representative. Around the same time, however, Marchese—who starred in the BravoTV reality series “Game of Crowns”—was selected as a national coach for the Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Challenge. Rather than just celebrate herself, Marchese said she decided to use the opportunity to draw interest to the 27 day fitness event that begins Sept. 1. And she used the event to help raise money for the CMN. The July 18 event at the Westfarms’ Athleta featured a fashion show with Marchese’s Body Construct students wearing Athleta gear, Body Construct fitnesswear, and Children’s Miracle Network t-shirts. In addition, the fashion show included some of the children who have been helped by local CMN hospital, Connecticut Children’s Miracle Network. Among the former patients walking in the show were Southington’s Olivia Belfonti, Newington’s Rebecca Redman, […]
By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR Fashion was the draw. But helping kids was the inspiration. Local fitness icon, Lori-Ann Marchese of Body Construct LLC in New Britain, was tapped as a brand ambassador for Athleta—the fitness wear retailer. And Marchese said Athleta wanted to throw a celebration party for her at its store in the Westfarms Mall, where Bristol’s Gina Prentiss serves as assistant store manager and community relations representative. Around the same time, however, Marchese—who starred in the BravoTV reality series “Game of Crowns”—was selected as a national coach for the Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Challenge. Rather than just celebrate herself, Marchese said she decided to use the opportunity to draw interest to the 27 day fitness event that begins Sept. 1. And she used the event to help raise money for the CMN. The July 18 event at the Westfarms’ Athleta featured a fashion show with Marchese’s Body Construct students wearing Athleta gear, Body Construct fitnesswear, and Children’s Miracle Network t-shirts. In addition, the fashion show included some of the children who have been helped by local CMN hospital, Connecticut Children’s Miracle Network. Among the former patients walking in the show were Southington’s Olivia Belfonti, Newington’s Rebecca Redman, […]