Sharing the Love and Your Old Dresses

Spring is just around the corner, and that means Prom Season is too. Going to Prom is part of growing up, a right of passage if you will. It is one night of a young girl's life when, no matter what their background or future may be, they get to get dressed-up, glammed out, and treated like a princess. Or, at least it should.

The economy has been hard on all of us in Southeast Michigan, but it breaks my heart to think of the girls who miss out of this opportunity because of finance hardships. That's where you brides can help.

Hope Closet is a non-profit organization working to provide young women with the opportunity to attend special High School events with a dress of their choice regardless of financial constraints or limitations.

Nearly all of you brides have bridesmaids, and truthfully so, most of them will never wear their bridesmaid dress again. Instead of taking up closet space, encourage your bridesmaids to donate their dresses to Hope Closet. Just think of the lucky girl who gets a beautiful dress to wear to a Prom she wouldn't have been able to go to otherwise.

The Hope Closet is looking for formal dresses that are clean, gently used or new and in current fashion. They are especially looking for plus sized dresses 14W and larger.

If you and your bridesmaids can't stand to part with your dresses, there are other ways you can help. The Hope Closet accepts:

• Formal accessories (jewelry, shoes, purses, and wraps)
• Dry cleaning services
• Financial support
• Rolling dress racks
• Plastic garment/dress bags
• Printing services
• Shopping bags and dry cleaning bags (used at boutique giveaways)
• Storage facilities
• Transportation services (to get the dresses to and from drop-off sites, storage facility and boutiques)

Check out Hope Closet on Facebook by clicking here.