Friends of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt held its annual fundraising event, Friends & Fashion, recently at Music City Center.
The fashion show and luncheon included grateful patient families and health care heroes from Monroe Carell walking the runway.
The show highlighted fashions by Dillard’s at the Mall at Green Hills, featuring luxury fashion and accessories brand Frances Valentine, and the hospital’s own store, The Friends Shop. Zander Insurance was the presenting sponsor of the event.
Funds raised from this year’s event will help complete the recent $1 million commitment from Friends of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. This support will benefit pediatric psychological support services and inpatient pediatric rehabilitation efforts at Monroe Carell.
Tuwanda Coleman-Shaw, Monroe Carell Advisory Board Member and retired NewsChannel 5 producer and reporter, served as the event emcee for the second year. Friends & Fashion 2025 was co-chaired by Alyce Ory and Lella Wilbanks and included the presentation of the inaugural Friends Volunteer Icon Award to longtime volunteer and advocate Robin Puryear, who encouraged the audience to find a way to get involved with the hospital.
“I’m so honored to receive the inaugural Friends Volunteer Icon Award. I encourage everyone to find a way to use their special skills to give back to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. There are so many ways to volunteer, and it makes such a difference for the patients and families at the hospital,” said Puryear.
The Friends organization’s mission is to support the hospital through fundraising, outreach and patient support.
