Clothing Store Throws Party for CHOC Patients

Think about mothers and daughters bonding, and shopping together usually comes to mind. About 18 teen-age patients of Children’s Hospital of Orange County, their sisters and moms spent an afternoon doing just that at Charlotte Russe in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, recently. The time spent looking at racks of trendy outfits and camping out in the dressing rooms served as a break from the hospital rooms where these teens with chronic illnesses have spent too much of their young lives.

Charlotte Russe, a family-owned chain store familiar to many junior high and high school girls, hosted a special party for the teens and their families. President of the West Coast chain Larry Lawrence has been a longtime fund-raiser for CHOC because, he says, of the tender care his son received there when he was born prematurely.

Lawrence spoke to the group about the latest fashion trends, such as peasant dresses, poet blouses and floppy hats, and author Sue Kirby gave satiric “girl talk” that dealt with everything from impatient fathers and gross brothers to how mom has to deal with her grown-up little girl.

Afterward, the teens scattered throughout the store, piling skirts, dresses, blouses--whatever they could find--onto their mothers, who didn’t seem to mind. There was, after all, that 20% discount the party girls received.