Newton’s Empress Palace Ballroom was a posh place to be during a High Fashion & High Tea benefit event for Options Community Services on Sunday, October 5, 2025. “We raised a total of $400,000 before expenses and we are thrilled at the reception we received from all,” raved Ginny Hasselfield, Options director of development.
The afternoon event invited guests to don fascinators and fancy outfits for “a spectacular afternoon in support of a fabulous cause” — to help build a second affordable housing project by Options and Habitate Housing Society.
“We will likely do this again next year,” Hasselfield told the Now-Leader. “Everyone loved the Champagne Ladies (who served glasses of bubbly from shelves on their long gowns) and the excitement of the fashion shows by Art of Thread and Armand DBG. Randy Charach thrilled the audience with his magic, and Howard Blank and Nira Arora did a wonderful job with the fundraising appeal, live auction and emceeing the whole show.