Challenge Your Fashion presented by Pro Athlete was filled with fun, fashion and great times. Our 15th annual event was held April 22, 2023 at the Marriott Muehlebach in Downtown Kansas City.

Thanks to our guests, volunteers and event sponsors for making this year's event such a success. We also thank Brent and Shannon Johnson for co-chairing the event, as well as the 2023 planning committee for their support.

This great night for a great cause benefits the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s Challenger program, which provides children with disabilities the opportunity to build confidence, learn new skills and make friends through sports programs, swim lessons, social events, before and after school programs and more. This year's event raised more than $247,000! 

Challenge Your Fashion guests enjoyed delicious food and beverages, silent and live auctions, a photo booth, live music from DOLEWITE as well as special appearances from Kansas City Royals Mascot Sluggerrr and Kansas City Chiefs Mascot KC Wolf.

But the night was all about the fashion show featuring YMCA Challenger athletes and buddies, and celebrity guests from our local sports teams. Celebrities this year included KC Current Players Elizabeth Ball and Kristen Hamilton, Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders, dancers from the Kansas City Ballet, former Kansas City Chiefs players Kelly Goodburn and Kendall Gammon, former Kansas City Royals pitcher Al Fitzmorris, professional Pickleball Player Kyle Goodburn, and former University of Missouri football player Beau Brinkley. The models wore clothing provided by Dillard's Zona Rosa and Charlie Hustle and watches provided by Garmin.

Emcees Steven St. John, Co-Host of Border Patrol on Sports Radio 810, and Yve Rojas, actress, auctioneer and Survivor contestant, hosted the show. Yve also hosted the live auction.

The night also honored Susie Haake, a longtime Challenger supporter. Susie passed away in September 2022, leaving a gift to YMCA Challenger to start an endowment so that kids and young adults can participate in the program for the foreseeable future. Susie was honored with an appreciation award, accepted by her siblings, Charlie and Jan. 

Brian and Petrice Welch, parents of Challenger athlete Caleb, talked about how much Challenger means to their family and how much Caleb has grown as a person with the help of Challenger. You can learn more about the Welch family in a video that premiered during Challenge Your Fashion. 

Mark Hulet, interim president and the CEO, provided an update on renovations to the Mark Teahen Family Baseball Field at the Fred and Shirley Pryor YMCA Challenger Sports Complex and announced Teahen and his family will return when we re-dedicate the field August 31. View a special message from Teahen about this upcoming event! In addition, current Royals Player Nicky Lopez will be at the complex for the celebration. Save the date and look for more information about this special event coming soon.

Take a look at our Google Photos gallery for event photos. For the latest announcements, photos and news, follow the fun and excitement of YMCA Challenger activities and events on Facebook!