Shana, in the middle holding flowers, with her models.

While most students were obsessing over spring break plans, Shana Reich, a high school sophomore from Philadelphia, was busy planning her first charity fashion show for her community. When her friends were picking hotels, Shana was picking models and clothes; when they were booking tickets, Shana was booking a caterer and DJ.

Wouldn’t planning a vacation be so much easier? Why would anyone want to invest so much time and energy into a charity event? “I absolutely love fashion,” Shana told me recently, “and when I heard about an organization that helps Jewish homeless children in the Ukraine, I felt that I had to help.”

So Shana found a way to combine her two passions—fashion and philanthropy—in her “Strut to Support” fashion-show event. Her idea started as a midnight inspiration, but as time went on, the event continued growing. “By the time the night of the show arrived, I had the steadfast support of my school, family and community. Everyone was excited and involved. I could never have done it alone,” Shana says.

“In the early stages of development, we were so overwhelmed,” she added. “We had so much to do; we thought it would never work out!” But with persistence and effort, this teen managed to barrel through barriers and dispel the “What was I thinking?” fears from her head.

The event, which I was privileged to attend, was a huge success. After cocktails and delicious dinner donated by a local restaurant, Shana reports that “the lights went off, the music went on and the models sashayed down the runway in the latest spring fashions.” What’s amazing is how Shana was able to include so many people in her success—there were student program designers, choreographers, models and ticket managers. The models were gorgeous and their show was downright entertaining. (Not to mention the Chinese auction prize I won!)

The most moving part of the night was a video depicting the sad life many unfortunate Jewish children lead in Odessa, Ukraine. Many are starving, homeless, abused or orphaned. Tikvah House, the inspiration for this event, is a safe haven for these homeless children. “I chose this charity because I think rescuing these children [from] poverty and abuse, and establishing a life for them in Israel, is the best thing…for them,” Shana says. “I live such a privileged life. I want other Jewish children to have my opportunities.”

Thanks to the event’s generous sponsors, Shana was able to make strictly profit off the admission price. “Everything, from the food, DJ, giveaways, raffle prizes and clothes, was donated by local establishments,” she says. The prizes were well-picked and attractively arranged. I don’t think there was one guest who didn’t purchase a raffle ticket! “All together, we raised over $5,000 for Tikvah House,” she adds.

Shana is now even more psyched about philanthropy. “I will never forget the feeling that night when the results of the money raised were announced. I still cannot believe we raised so much,” she says. But she isn’t stopping with the fashion show. “[I would] definitely love to create another charity event like this next year.”

Shana’s story holds an important message. “If I hadn’t had the confidence or belief in my idea, one more child in the Ukraine might have been left homeless,” Shana says. Sara Waxman, a faculty advisor at her school, says: “People don’t always realize the potential they possess. Shana’s story can be a powerful example to teens everywhere of how their power can affect the world.”

Chava Sneiderman likes sushi, photography, heart-to-heart conversations, fashion and family vacations. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, swimming and studying French. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.