By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The People Emergency Center held its “Race to Make a Difference” fundraiser– Kentucky Derby style.

The ballroom on the 33rd floor was filled to capacity with men in sear sucker suits and ladies wearing straw hats of all kinds. Cathy Friend wore a two piece black and gold leopard dress with a matching hat.

“This is the way I dress. I love hats. This is what I wear to church; this is the way I dress. I love hats,” said Friend.

All the fanfare, including mint juleps and southern style appetizers, goes to benefit PEC, which provides housing and services to homeless women and their families. Executive Director Farrah Jimenez says this fundraiser is important to PEC’s services.

“It means an ability to continue to do the programs that we do. We have 220 housing units in Center City that serve our families. But in addition we offer employment services and training, parent and early childhood education and technology training.”

For more infoRMATION on PEC, visit www.pec-cares.org/.