| To the Friends of Abby's Closet ~
The excitement is building... It is only 2 months until the 6TH ANNUAL PROM GOWN GIVEAWAY, Sat. and Sun., April 10-11, 2010 at our new location: DoubleTree Hotel (Exhibit Hall) - Lloyd Center.
We expect over 2,000 young women to attend the event and need lots of gown donations to ensure our racks our full. Especially needed are gowns in sizes 0-4 and 16+, as well as formal wraps and evening handbags. Let us know if you have any giveaway items (ex. makeup, perfume, nail polish samples, etc.) or raffle prizes that would appeal to teen women. We will also need over 200 volunteers to help at the event. Volunteer sign-ups will begin in early March. Meanwhile, mark the dates on your calendar (including the set-up date of Thurs., Apr. 8) and be on the lookout for more information in our next newsletter.
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| DRESS DONATION DRIVES |
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BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS
Lots of beautiful formal gowns were donated to Abby's Closet by employees at FARMER'S INSURANCE (Hillsboro).  We thank them and all of the other businesses, high schools, colleges and universities who are organizing and conducting dress donation drives. We hope you will help by donating formal gowns to them or dropping donations off at one of the year-round DROP-OFF SITES listed on our website.
It is simple to organize a DRESS DONATION DRIVE for Abby's Closet. If you would like to volunteer, please let us know.
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| NOW ON YOU TUBE |
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BLUSH BEAUTY BAR PRODUCES A VIDEO
Check out the Abby's Closet video on YOU TUBE and share the link with your  Facebook and email friends!
Thanks to our friends at BLUSH BEAUTY BAR (531 SW 23rd, Portland) for producing this wonderful video and also a video advertising the BLUSH DRESS DRIVE during the month of February. (Drop off a gown and get a free makeup session!) The goal was to showcase some of the beautiful gowns that will be available at this year's event and also to provide information about the organization. The Student Advisory Board and Abby's Closet volunteers who participated in the video did an amazing job. Thanks to everyone who helped. |
| ROSE FESTIVAL PRINCESS CANDIDATES |
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Abby's Closet wants to help young women's dreams come true.  We are very happy to partner with the Rose Festival Association in providing formal gowns to young women who are final Princess candidates from local high schools.
We loved getting to meet these personable, talented and beautiful young women and know that any one of them would make an excellent representative of her school as its Rose Festival Princess. Good luck to each of them. |
| BOARD MEMBER APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE |
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The vision and direction of Abby's Closet is steered by an amazing and talented BOARD OF DIRECTORS. If you are interested in applying to join the Board, please review the role and responsibilities and consider applying (applications are due by April 15). It is very rewarding to be part of this organization that helps and influences so many young woman. |
| SEAMSTRESSES NEEDED |
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| Are Zippers Your Specialty?
Some of the donated gowns need minor repairs and some need new zippers. If you can help, please email us to volunteer. |
| WE HAVE A NEW HOME |
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 Thanks to Pacific Realty and Master Movers
One of our largest budgetary expenses is the cost of storage for donations and supplies. Thanks to Anne and Craig Swinford for donating the beautiful space in SE Portland that we used in 2009. Abby's Closet has now moved to a new space in the Tualatin Business Center. Thanks to Pacific Realty Associates for this generous donation.
We also want to thank Master Movers for their continued partnership and generosity. Master Movers has been instrumental in the smooth transfer of our gowns and supplies between storage and event locations since our first year. We couldn't ask for a more efficient, professional crew!
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| 2nd Annual Abby's Closet Tea |
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 Save this Date: May 1.
You won't want to miss the annual Abby's Closet Tea. Please save the date: Saturday afternoon, May 1st. Ticket information and location in upcoming newsletters. |
