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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 16, 2008 - 3 Evening to Remember for grieving family By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF I t was tough when Silvana Rogers, a mother of three, returned to work after having her third child. It got even tougher when her husband, Chris, died suddenly of a form of flesh-eating disease. Now, the 39-year-old Oakville resident and veteran hairstylist is finding out first-hand about the phrase, when the going gets tough ... Not to stand idly by, her co-workers and friends are stepping up with her. To that end, An Evening to Remember, a night of family, friends, fashion and fundraising, will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Le Dome Banquet Hall. Rogers's co-workers and friends from Rainbow Expressions Salon & Spa, located at 1036 Speers Rd., are hoping to raise at least $15,000 to help Rogers and her three young children -- Curtis, 7, Liam, 5 and Sofia who will be two next month. That's how much the staff at Rainbow Expressions usually raises within the salon when the staff participates in the annual Walk for Life event. This year, they're turning their efforts to help Rogers, according to event organizer Jerome Hendricks. "Silvana, a devoted mother of three young children had just returned to work after giving birth to her third child. As any working mother knows, it is not easy to balance one's family and work, but luckily Silvana had the support of her husband, Chris. Shockingly, shortly after Silvana's return to work, she lost her support: Chris passed away very suddenly, leaving her with three small children to raise on her own," said Hendricks. "That is where we all come in. With our help and support we can help Silvana get through this difficult time and back on her feet," he said. Her husband died from a Group A strep infection (a form of flesh-eating disease). "No idea how he got it, how long he had it. It goes very fast," said Rogers. Her husband, a Toronto native who was raised in Mississauga, had celebrated his 39th birthday on Feb. 11. He died four days later, on Feb. 15. Their children are doing okay. "They're doing okay, better than they were. They're enjoying their summer. They're adjusting. We're all adjusting, day by day," said Rogers who had been married to Chris for 11 years. "When the show was mentioned to me, at first I felt a little funny about it. You don't want to accept things from people all the time," said Rogers, adding, she came to understand her clients and co-workers were concerned and wanted to do something for CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER FAMILY TREE: Silvana Rogers was widowed earlier this year when her husband, Chris, suddenly acquired a form of flesh-eating disease. Here, Silvana is pictured with the couple's three young children -- Curtis, 7, Liam 5 and Sofia, who's almost two -- in front of an ornamental pear tree the couple had talked about planting, but which was planted earlier this season by the Rogers's neighbours in memory of Chris. The inscription on the memorial stone beside the tree reads: "If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again." her and her children. $100. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the fash"It's wonderful and I'm so grateful and ion show starts at 7:30 p.m. appreciative of everything everyone is doing," The evening will include a cocktail recepsaid Rogers noting her family has been able tion, runway fashion show, music and enterto stay in the new home they moved into five tainment and a silent auction. years ago. It will be emceed by Judy Bannerman, It has been possible thanks to unwavering a former Halton Woman of the Year and and generous support resident advisor of of her family and "They're adjusting. We're all Home Suite Hope in friends. Oakville, an organizaadjusting, day by day. " Rogers said her tion that helps people husband was a loss in need of transitional Silvana Rogers, recovery manager and housing. Oakville mother of three had just started with a Hendricks, who grew new company a year up in Oakville attending before he died. Prior to Brookdale and then that he had worked 15 years for Sears as a Thomas A. Blakelock High School, is busiloss recovery manager (including a stint at ness partners with Rogers's co-worker Jeff Oakville Place). Michener. The duo operate Jeff & Jerome In fact, that's how the couple met -- Cosmetics, a supplier of Rainbow before Rogers even began her hairstyling Expressions. career. Hendricks spends half his year in the She was working at Simpsons at Bahamas and the other half in Oakville. A forWoodbine Centre and when Simpsons mer fashion show organizer in Toronto, closed, it re-opened as Sears and the two met Hendricks now does weddings in the while both working for that retailer. Bahamas, however, this time his visit back Tickets to the Aug. 27 fundraiser cost home to Oakville was extended as he began organizing the fundraiser. A former classmate of Bannerman's daughter, Hendricks said he has known Bannerman for more than 20 years and quickly approached the local philanthropist to emcee the event. The Aug. 27 show will feature fashions from a variety of local stores including: Lana's Boutique in Bronte; Hustler on Kerr Street; Lesley Giles Bride also in Bronte; Mainstream Clothiers from downtown Oakville and Zack's Fashions from Oakville Place. Hair styling will be provided by the Rainbow Expressions creative team and makeup by Jeff & Jerome Cosmetics. Entertainment by BellyUpBellyDance will also be featured along with reception and intermission music by Oakville-based band, the Pack Rats. "All proceeds from An Evening to Remember will go directly to Rogers and her children," said Hendricks. Tickets are available at Rainbow Expressions at 905-847-1110 or fashionshow.silvana@gmail.com. Corporate tables are also available. CALIFORNIA & PLANTATION SHUTTERS · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices Shop at Home Service Authorized Eclipse Shutters Dealer FREE SHUTTERS ETC. 905.691.4455 · www.shuttersetc.ca