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Dress Drives Begin
Volunteer Opportunities
Thank You
How You Can Help Anytime
Our Mission
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February 2009
Dress Drives Begin
It is less than two months until our big giveaway event at the Oregon Convention Center on April 4th and 5th! We are expecting over 1,000 young women to be at the event again this year, where each will receive a beautiful free prom gown from Abby's Closet.
 
We are now conducting our annual dress drive to be sure we have enough gowns available. Do you have a formal gown taking up room in your closet that you or your daughter will not be wearing again? Please consider donating it (tax deductable) to Abby's Closet. Dresses can be dropped off at donation sites listed on our web site, http://www.abbyscloset.org/Donations.htm, or at one of the high schools listed below.
 
Our Student Advisory Board (SAB) is currently organizing dress donation drives in their own school and neighboring schools. If you have a dress you would like to donate and live or work near one of these schools please think about dropping it off. These include: 
    Central Catholic High (Portland)
     ~ Callie Child (SAB)
    Cleveland High (Portland)
     ~ Julia Groth (Sophomore Class Advisor)
    De LaSalle High (Portland)
     ~ Carson Hohnstein and Neale Ellyson (SAB's)
    Forest Grove High (Forest Grove)
     ~ Victoria Gallaway (SAB)
    Gresham High (Gresham)
    Jesuit High (Portland)
     ~ Emily Rhoads and Christina Gill (SAB's)
    Lake Oswego High (Lake Oswego)
     ~ Tori Hamachek (SAB)
    Rex Putnam High (Milwaukie)
     ~ Alix Harfst (SAB)
    Reynolds High (Troutdale)
    Sherwood High (Sherwood)
    West Linn High (West Linn) 
     ~ Tasha Guzie (SAB)
    Westview High (Beaverton)
    Wilson High School (Portland)
     ~ Kayleigh Anderson (SAB)
    University of Portland (Portland)
     ~ Cassie Passon (SAB)
Volunteer Opportunities
We are in need of a few seamstresses right away! We have beautiful dresses that are in need of minor repairs such as seams stitched or zippers fixed. If you can take the time to fix these dresses for us, please email: promgowns@abbyscloset.org
 
Mark These Dates On Your Calendars! In a few weeks you can sign up up for volunteer opportunities on our web site. 
  • Dress Sorting and Preparation: At our donated space near 82nd and Stark on March 21st and March 28th.
  • Event Set Up April 3rd and Tear Down April 5th: All genders and ages welcome to help.
  • Prom Dress Giveaway Event April 4th and 5th: You must be female and out of high school to volunteer at the event. It is a most rewarding way to spend part of a weekend.
Further details and registration information will follow in a later newsletter.
Thank You
We have had organizations hosting dress drives already this year! A big thank you goes to the Lake Oswego National Charity League and the Multnomah Athletic Club Teen Committee for hosting dress drives throughout the month of January. Both organizations are also planning to volunteer time to sort and prepare the dresses they collected prior to our event in April. 
 
We want to feature our drop-off locations Mr. Formal Tuxedos on Grand Ave in Portland, and Weiss' Paradise Suites in Seaside this month. Thank you for allowing your business to be part of the Abby's Closet family!
 
Also thanks to all who have donated monetary funds directly to Abby's Closet. In these difficult economic times, they are especially deeply appreciated. With these funds you are helping us with the costs of hosting our event at the Oregon Convention Center and enabling us to fill in the dress sizes (0-4 and 15+) that we never have enough of at our event.
How You Can Help Anytime
We accept donations of formal gowns, wraps, purses, new prom jewelry and unused makeup or bath products year round.  Each girl receives a free accessory and makeup or bath product with her prom gown.
 
Financial Contributions are always welcome.
      http://www.abbyscloset.org/Donations.htm
 
Spread the Word About the Abby's Closet Giveaway Event on April 4th and 5th at the Oregon Convention Center. Please email us at promgowns@abbyscloset.org if you would like our promotional items mailed to you.
 
Looking for Non-Profits That Welcome Teen 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 at promgowns@abbyscloset.org
Thank you so much for supporting Abby's Closet. Please be sure to share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions with us http://www.abbyscloset.org/ContactUs.htm. We will soon be posting detailed information and registration links regarding our upcoming volunteer needs on our website and the next newsletter. Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Sally Egland, President
Abby's Closet

OUR MISSION
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.
 
DONATE HERE
 
 
 
Don't Have a Gown to Donate?  A donation of only $20 will provide a prom gown for a young woman.  Remember: Your donation is tax deductible.  Help young women's prom dreams come true.