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Miss La Jolla Teen USA to walk the runway for Sparkles Foundation fundraiser

The upcoming San Diego Sparkles Foundation fashion show and fundraiser will have a little extra sparkle thanks to Miss La Jolla Teen USA Ava Grace Nichols, who will walk this year’s runway.

The fourth annual fundraiser, planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines hotel, will feature speakers including San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, as well as performances in addition to the fashion show.

The Rancho Santa Fe-based Sparkles Foundation, established in 2022, is a nonprofit that works to support children in San Diego who are at risk of being trafficked and to help orphans in Ukraine and Armenia displaced by war. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to organizations that support those efforts.

“This is a unique opportunity for attendees to meet Miss Teen La Jolla USA in person and see her grace the runway, all while supporting a great cause,” according to the organization. “With Miss Teen La Jolla USA’s participation, we hope to raise even more awareness and support.”

Ava, a student at Cathedral Catholic High School, entered the Miss California Teen USA competition representing La Jolla and was third runner-up. She also is a member of the National Charity League and the Girl Scouts.

This will be her second time participating in the fundraiser.

“I’ve always been a performer, and being on a stage is one of my favorite things to do,” Ava told the La Jolla Light. “Pageantry was a new way I could challenge myself, meet new friends, gain new opportunities and advocate for issues I’m passionate about.”

Among them, she said, is preventing human trafficking, a cause “close to my heart.”

“Human trafficking is when people are forced into providing labor or services against their will,” she said. “It’s a serious problem that affects many kids and adults around the world. It’s important to me because everyone deserves to be treated with respect and freedom. We should all care about this issue and support efforts to stop it. This could happen to someone you know and love.”

She said the Sparkles Foundation’s effort to raise money to fight human trafficking is “truly commendable.”

“Addressing human trafficking is critical for creating a safer and more just world,” she said. “Educating the community and giving faces and names to kids and families who have been impacted is powerful. I am inspired by their commitment and believe that such initiatives are essential in the fight against this grave issue.

“Events like these raise crucial funds and awareness for programs that make differences in [people’s] lives. Being part of it allows me to use my platform as Miss La Jolla Teen USA to contribute to a meaningful cause and hopefully inspire others to get involved as well.”

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San Diego Sparkles Foundation Gift to AMMA Orphan & Child Care Fund

 

Paramus, New Jersey—The Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMMA) today announced receipt of $25,000 provided by San Diego Sparkles Foundation. The donation will be directed to orphan children living on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

 

“Children in war-torn areas still have dreams for their futures,” said Magna Poulos, AMMA Director of Operations and Donor Relations. “With the arrival of winter in the Caucuses, we will steward this funds to provide for warm shelter, clothing, blankets and most of all, hope.”

 

AMMA provides food and clothing distribution, medical and dental services, education centers and social workers to address childhood trauma. All donations go to direct services to children.

 

 “Some of these children have lost not just their homes, but their families,” said Kathy Kassarjian, president of San Diego Sparkles Foundation. “San Diego’s Children’s Benefit fashion show donation will help to make a difference in their lives.”

 

Children from across San Diego County participated at the San Diego Children’s Benefit Fashion Show & Luncheon on September 17, 2022 at Hyatt Regency La Jolla.  Two hundred guests— from Hillcrest to North County— contributed to the fundraiser supporting children at-risk abroad and in San Diego. Five charities were identified as recipients.

 

In 2023, The San Diego SparkleS Children’s Benefit Fashion Show will be held on September 30. The event supports charities dedicated to protecting children in San Diego and children displaced by war. Currently, Donations are accepted and can be mailed to Sparkles Foundation. P.O. Box 676067 • Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 or online

Ranch and Coast Magazine August 2023

AMAA News

San Diego Media Advisory

WHO: San Diego Children Raise Charity Dollars

WHAT: Children’s Benefit Fashion Show & Luncheon

WHY: Raised Funds to Help Vulnerable Children in San Diego and Abroad

WHEN: Saturday Sept 27, 2025

WHERE: Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, 10950 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, 92037

WEBSITE: https://www.sdsparklesfoundation.org/

Facebook: San-Diego-SparkleS-Foundation-Inc

Contact for Interviews:Vonnie Madigan@916-799-8900

Children from across San Diego County will be back on stage for the fourth Annual San Diego Children’s Benefit Fashion Show & Luncheon on September 27th, 2025 at Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. Proceeds will go to five charities helping children at-risk in San Diego and abroad.
“We are so lucky to have people in our community who give generously to help vulnerable children,” said Kathy Kassardjian, event organizer. In 2024, the volunteer event drew 200 attendees and raised over $125,000. San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan returns in 2025 as keynote speaker.
The August Fashion Show supports charities dedicated to protecting at-risk children in San Diego and children displaced by war. Fashion Show Tickets can be purchased online.
Created in 2022, San Diego SparkleS Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to support children in danger of being trafficked and/ displaced by war. A 501-C3, SparkleS FN can be reached at P.O. Box 676067, Rancho Santa Fe, California.
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SD Sparkles Children’s Fundraiser Hits it Out of Park

“The San Diego community hit it out of the ballpark,” said Kathy Kassardjian, Sparkles president. “We had VIP Padres Tickets and a Machado autographed baseball that got the bidding going wild.
“San Diego Sparkles Foundation is dedicated to protecting at-risk children at home and abroad. The second-year event included a festive reception and musical entertainment.
San Diego fashions featured included: Pretty Please (Del Mar), 5 loaves two fish (Coronado), Satori Designs (Solana Beach) and Mabel’s (Solana Beach).
Guest speaker Summer Stephan, District Attorney of San Diego, spoke about the enormity of the child trafficking problem in the San Diego community and the need for more efforts to combat the growing trend.
“We will steward these funds to provide warm shelter, food, clothing, blankets and most of all, hope,” said Kassardjian.

La Jolla Light Magazine August 2023

Models of various ages walked the runway as part of the Sparkles Foundation’s Children’s Benefit Fashion Show on Aug. 26 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines hotel which included a festive reception with both young and older participants.   the Fashion Show which was a resounding success and raised $100.000.

“Children in war-torn areas still have dreams for their futures,”

 “With the arrival of winter in the Caucuses, we will steward this fund to provide for warm shelter, clothing, blankets and most of all, hope.”

“Some of these children have lost not just their homes, but their families,” said Kathy Kassarjian, president of San Diego SparkleS Foundation. “San Diego’s Children’s— contributed to the fundraiser supporting children at-risk abroad and in San Diego.

 

Proceeds will go to five charities helping children at-risk in San Diego and abroad to benefit orphan children and the fight against human trafficking.

 

The guest speaker, Summer Stephan, District Attorney of San Diego, spoke about the enormity of the problem, how it affects the San Diego community and her efforts to combat the growing trend.

 

Donations are still being accepted and can be mailed to Sparkles Foundation. P.O. Box 676067 • Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 or online at www.SDSparklesfoundation.org