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Hello!
Although it is only November, the Abby's Closet Board is already preparing for the dress drives that start just after the New Year begins. We are looking for a space for storage and dress preparation (sorting and sizing gowns) in the busy months before our big weekend: the 6th Annual Prom Boutique (give-away event) on Saturday April 4th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday April 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center! We are anticipating that over 1,500 young women will be attending this year, so lots of gown donations and volunteer help are needed. Please visit our website to learn more about Abby's Closet and how you can help make prom a special event for these girls.. |
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OUR MISSION |
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To collect prom gowns and provide them, free, to high school women. Receiving a gown presents an opportunity for students to join their peers at a memorable high school event, and to do so with the confidence essential to setting and attaining goals in the future. |
| WE NEED YOUR HELP |
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We accept donations of Formal Gowns, Wraps and Purses year round. Gowns (formal, special occasion, bridesmaid, etc.) should be gently used (or new!), clean, in good repair and appropriate for a high schooler. Especially needed are sizes 0-4 and 16+, but all sizes are appreciated, as are both long and short gowns. Should you be out shopping and see suitable gowns (for example in the mark-down racks, at thrift stores or outlets), they could be purchased and donated to us as tax deductions. Costume jewelry, evening bags and wraps for prom dresses are also needed.
Donation drop-off sites are listed on our website for your convenience.
Financial Contributions: Financial contributions are used to purchase additional gowns in hard-to-find sizes so that no girl leaves our event disappointed because we did not have a dress for her. These donations are greatly appreciated (and are tax deductible). See our website for further donation information.
Spread the Word About Abby's Closet: Tell your family, friends and organizations about this program (or just forward this email). Distribute or post our cute die-cut or 2-sided flyers to let others know about our dress collections and give away event.. (Let us know if you would like us to send these to you).
Your help makes prom dreams come true for appreciative high school girls. |
| THANK YOU |
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Donations
Thanks to everyone who has made donations to Abby's Closet! We especially want to thank Making Memories, another nonprofit that, unlike Abby's Closet, collects gently used bridal gowns. They recently gave us over 200 bridesmaid's dresses that were donated to them. A huge "thanks" to Charlotte's Weddings and More for their gown donations. We also recently received a generous monetary donation from Waggener Edstrom Worldwide public relations firm. Visit our website to see a list of other companies and individuals who have helped Abby's Closet. We very much appreciate their partnership and support.
We also want to thank our donation drop-off sites. Please see our web site for these locations. |
| STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD |
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Our Student Advisory Board is a tremendous support and addition to our organization. The members record Public Service Announcements heard on local radio stations, are organizing dress donation drives at their own and neighboring schools, and are planning a fund-raising fashion show that will take place in February.
Advisors:
Abby Egland (NIKE)
Katy Howell (Saatchi & Saatchi)
Mentors:
Dana Bays--Reed College
Liz Orr--De La Salle Corporate Internship Coordinator
Stephanie Stepp--Saatchi & Saatchi
Alyssa O'Banion--Student
2008-2009 Student Advisory Board:
Callie Child--Central Catholic High School
Tori Hamachek--Lake Oswego High
Kayleigh Anderson--Wilson High
Cassie Passon-University of Oregon (SAB alumni from Oregon City)
Victoria Gallaway--Forest Grove High
Emily Rhoads--Jesuit High
Alix Harfst--Rex Putnam High
Christina Gill--Jesuit High
Tasha Guzie--West Linn High
Carson Hohnstein--De La Salle High
Neale Ellyson--De La Salle High
Non-Profits That Welcome Teens Volunteers
The Student Board is also organizing a Volunteer Fair that will be held in the lobby at the Prom Boutique. If you know of a nonprofit organization looking for teen volunteers, or if you have any suggestions, please email us. |
| Space Needed |
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Do you have a retail or office space that you would be willing to donate or rent (inexpensively) to us? We would like to secure a site that can be used year-round for storage and a small retail display. Currently, any formal gowns not selected at our prom dress give-away event in April at the Oregon Convention Center are boxed up and stored for the following year. Meanwhile, we receive numerous requests from young women who need formal gowns for events during the rest of the year (ex. holiday dances, homecoming, graduation, etc.). We would love to be able to help these young women.
Ideally, the space would be conveniently located in the Portland area, have approximately 1,000-2,000 sq. ft. It would have a suitable area for storing wardrobe boxes and an area that could be filled with rolling racks and prom gowns. If you have suggestions or can help, please email ( promgowns@abbyscloset.org) or call us (503.722.1524). | |
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Thank you so much for supporting Abby's Closet. Please be sure to share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions with us. We will soon be posting information about our volunteer needs during our prom boutique event in April. Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Sally Egland, President
Abby's Closet |
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