Local Girls Turn CHOC into a Princess Palace

Female patients undergoing treatment at Children's Hospital of Orange County will soon trade their scrubs for some princess pampering thanks to the efforts of two little girls from Newport Beach.

Alyssa Antoci and her best friend, Brooke Besikof, both 9-years-old, are the compassionate, tender minds behind Just a Little Cloth, a non-profit children's charity that provides dresses to underprivileged girls. On Saturday, Sept. 22, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the girls' charity is teaming up with Wild Strawberry Cafe in Newport Beach to raise money to turn CHOC's Oncology Playroom into a princess palace for the day.

"It all started when we would give them small pieces of cloth to play with and they would tape it all together and make really amazing dresses," Sarah Besikof, Brooke's mom and co-founder of Just A Little Cloth, explained. "Then one day they asked what about the girls that don't get to dress up and asked how they could do something nice for those girls so they could feel special too."

So this fall, the Oncology Playroom will be transformed into a plush princess palace to cater to about 20 little girls, ages 4 to 18. The day, which has yet to be scheduled, will include hair and make-up sessions, a choice of a new dress, a photo session, a tea party and a one-on-one chat about inner beauty with Miss California USA Natalie Pack.

"Girls going through treatment will get a few hours to step away from their treatments," said Tiffany Antoci, Alyssa's mom and charity co-founder. "The playroom is generally their refuge, so it's a special place for them where they feel comfortable."

The Just A Little Cloth charity fundraiser at Wild Strawberry Cafe will be Moroccan-themed and will include a silent auction, a belly dancer performance, cupcakes from SusieCakes, a fashion show by Elizabeth Charles and more.

Natasha Kazic, the cafe's owner, said she knew she had to be a part of their fundraiser when she heard about the girls' dream to make princess wishes come true.

"Their idea is so pure," Kazic said. "They are not tied to a company or any corporation. It's an idea from two innocent children who want to make a difference. I am moved by their compassion."

If you are interested in attending the Just A Little Cloth event at Wild Strawberry Cafe, tickets can be purchased at the cafe located at 240 Newport Center Dr. #100, or online at wildstrawberrycafe.com. Presale tickets are $25 or $40 are the door.