Behind the Badge
Members of the Tustin Police Department took to the catwalk on a recent Thursday to raise money for local senior programs.
The Tustin Area Senior Center partnered with Tustin PD May 8 to put on the first fashion show to benefit the center’s gift shop. Both sworn and civilian TPD employees not only donated their time to participate in this event, but many donated their own gently used clothing to the Senior Center.
At the gift shop, seniors can donate clothing and shop for affordable items. The store brings in about $13,000 a year to go toward senior programs.
“This is a nice way to inform people about our gift shop,” said Marilyn Beuscher, Recreation Supervisor for Tustin. “We also wanted to celebrate Mother’s Day by profiling some of our ladies with our police officers.”
Members of the department partnered with seniors to showcase clothing themed for a variety of outings, including attire fit for an Alaskan cruise, a night at a Broadway show and a trip to Cuba.
Officer Jorge Sanchez and Rena Spagnola walk the runway arm-in-arm during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Some of the officers looked as if they had done this before, strutting down the stage and swinging their jackets over one shoulder with ease.
For some of the senior models, they actually have done this before. Joanne Brennan is a former model for Macy’s and Robinson’s May.
“It’s been a while,” said Brennan, as she practiced how she would walk down the runway with Officer Robert Nelson. “I was a lot younger, and had a lot less wrinkles.”
The show was met with applause, and some laughs, from the audience who dined on stuffed cabbage and red velvet cake as they watched.
“This is just part of our outreach effort to show we want to be involved with the community and we want to have fun,” said Det. Tommy Lomeli, President of the Tustin Police Officers’ Association. “We want to show that we care.”
Det. Tommy Lomeli shows how to “Work Undercover” as he makes his way down the runway during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Master Reserve Officer George Vallevieni and Bonnie Squier make their way down the runway during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Lt. Robert Wright and Beverly Duda take the runway during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Officer Matt Roque looks sharp as he walks out despite his injury during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Volunteer Rich Ruedas and Investigator David Maher walk in style down the runway during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Lt. Robert Wright works the runway in style during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
What’s black & white and rather colorful? Jasmine Mathis and Jorge Morales show their fashions as they walk down the runway during the Mother’s Day Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The models from the inaugural Mother’s Day Fashion Show at the Tustin Area Senior Center pose a final time after the event. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
