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For the connoisseur of couture, the annual Bargain Basket Fashion Show (BBFS) is a Marco must.

Quite simply, the BBFS is the runway show of the season. Many are said to organize their entire winter calendar around it and this year was no exception. The theme, “Don’t Cross that Bridge!” was a refrain that played particularly well with Islanders who are disinclined to drive the Bentley more miles than necessary during this era of spiraling petrol prices. After all, if anything, one’s heart desires can be found at the BB, why cross the Jolley?

As 200 guests gathered at the United Church of Marco Island for luncheon, the Rev. Neil Hunt, pastor, offered words of welcome and befittingly, a blessing of thanksgiving in praise of the BBFS and all those who make it possible.

It is from the proceeds of the BB Thrift Shop that United Church is largely able to sustain its many missionary outreaches within the community and throughout the county.

Following Rev. Hunt’s words, a touching tribute was paid to Islander Josephine Evangelista, the woman who inspired this year’s designated charity: Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, Inc. of Collier County. On hand to accept the honor was special guest Sue Ellen Maxwell, representative of the organization.

Last year, when Evangelista was faced with her diagnosis, she turned to her dear friend, Sandy Goldstein, for support. The two had worked together for many years and since that time Goldstein had changed jobs and was now enjoying her new role as manager of the BB.

“I’ve known Jo for many years. She’s an amazing person,” Goldstein said. “When she shared with me that she was facing this diagnosis without medical insurance, I knew it was critical.”

At that point, Goldstein did what every true friend does in time of need: she began to advocate. In connecting Evangelista with Bosom Buddies of Collier County, her seemingly insurmountable mountain became manageable.

“So when we started to prepare for this year’s BBFS, we quickly came to consensus that our proceeds should go to Bosom Buddies — no question. It was unanimous. BB and BB, they go well together,” Goldstein said.

With the mirror effect now in place, it was time to secure one more key component. “We knew who we wanted as moderator,” Goldstein continued. “Everyone agreed it had to be Arlene Heidings. There’s nobody who can put on a show like Arlene!”

It was sweet sentiment when Heidings received the call.

“Perfect timing, that’s all I can say,” Heidings said. “For one, I’ve been a cancer survivor since the day I got my diagnosis five years ago. You go through this experience and you want to reach out to all women — to help them and reassure them that life goes on. You never know when cancer is going to be on your own doorstep.”

She continued, “I just adore the BB. It was during the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma that I got to know everybody there. Many of us were organizing outreach efforts. I was working with victims in Immokalee and the BB came through like a trooper. For example, those families were in critical need of diapers. Boy did we get diapers!”

Throughout the four sets of eye-popping fashions featuring everything from casual to couture, guests thrilled with suspense each time a ticket number was announced for one of the many impressive raffle prizes.

Patricia Duffy-Johnson was awestruck when she realized she held the winning ticket to a five-day trip to a condo owned by an Islander in Breckenridge, Colorado, nestled in the Rocky Mountains.

“My granddaughter just said to me that she’s never seen snow,” Duffy-Johnson said. “So I said to her, ‘we’ll go to a ski resort.’ I’m thrilled!”

As Heidings prepared her enchanted attendees for her closing comments, she informed them she was about to make a personal request.

“Ladies, you’ll have to forgive me if I get a little sloppy — a little teary — because I’m going to ask you to do something in honor of my husband Fred who died five months ago,” she said. “The next time you read that the Marco Men’s Club — or anybody sponsoring the blood mobile — is here on Marco, if you can, please, give the gift of blood. It doesn’t cost you a dime, or even a dollar, but it can make all the difference in a person’s life.”

And then, with her characteristic élan she added, “And you don’t even have to cross that bridge!”

• • •

The Bargain Basket Thrift Shop, sponsored by the United Church of Marco Island, is managed by Islander Sandra Goldstein and located at 828 Bald Eagle Drive. It is run by hundreds of volunteers who are not required to be members of the church. If you would like to donate your time, talent or treasures, call 394-6640, or stop by the BB. Hours (during season): MWF: 10 - 4 p.m., SAT: 10 - 1 p.m.

If you would like to learn more about Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, Inc. of Collier County, located at 4330 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112, call 417.4600. Bosom Buddies is dedicated to providing women with physical, emotional, financial and educational assistance from the outset of their diagnosis.