Patrons at the 28th Annual Gala Vernese Weekes Scholarship Luncheon of the Bronx-Manhattan-Westchester (BMW) Chapter of the New York-based Caribbean-American Nurses Association (CANA) certainly got more than they paid for during the celebration at Eastwood Manor in the Bronx on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Registered nurses, nursing aides, and others strutted their stuff during the Fashion Show segment to the delight of the effervescent crowd.

“It is something to add a little luster to the day, and people love fashion,” Pamela Griffin, a Vincentian-born, retired registered nurse, told Caribbean Life afterwards.

“Fashion never stands still,” added the former BMW-CANA president, who modeled a red Evening Gown. “We did a lot of fashion over the years. We did ‘Back in Time’, etc.”

Elaine Mills-Forde, BMW-CANA’s Jamaican-born recording secretary, said she modeled a beige hand-crocheted dress made by Joan Mills, one of her sisters.

“We tried,” she said about the modeling. “But judging from the response from the patrons, it was well appreciated. 

 “I just tried because I know they (patrons) like that part of the luncheon,” Mills-Forde added. “It’s a feature that most of the patrons enjoy. So, we always try to fit it in.

“Some of the older members, who usually do it, are unable to do it,” she continued. “So, we’ve been recruiting new members.”

Claudia Shakes, Mills-Forde’s compatriot, said she looks forward to “walking the red carpet” every year.

“I’m delighted when someone asks me to model,” she said. “My head reaches Cloud 9, and it makes me feel good I can do it with class.”

Among other models were Pamela Appia, Alex Sampson, and Lorna Ferreira.

Vincentian-American Registered Nurse Dahniel Samuel, whose late, Vincentian-born, Registered Nurse mother, Hopina Samuel, was a former BMW-CANA president, narrated the Fashion Show segment.