| Join Us On |
|
| Donate Here |
|
| |
|
|
Drum Roll, Please .....
The "6th Annual Abby's Closet Prom Gown Giveaway" was a huge success. The total number of free prom gowns given to high school teens this year ........
2,109
Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. The young women who benefited from your generosity are most appreciative. And, we know they will look very beautiful on their prom night!
We hope you will continue to support Abby's Closet's mission to help young women's prom dreams come true. |
| "6th Annual Prom Gown Giveaway" | | | A Year of Planning for a Weekend of Giving
The first students in line for this year's Prom Gown Giveaway were from Centennial High School (Gresham) and arrived at 12:15 am for the 8 am opening. They got to cut the ribbon to open the event.
The choice of prom gowns on the racks was amazing. There were 5,700 beautiful gowns in all sizes, colors and styles. In addition, each young woman was thrilled to received at least one extra item (wrap, purse, jewelry, makeup, etc.). Thank you for all of your donations.
Abby's Closet is run entirely by volunteers (no paid employees). Thank you to the dedicated people who make up our Board of Directors, Student Advisory Board and our key volunteers. They set the vision and direction of the organization and provide the leadership. None of this would be possible without them.
Over the course of the year, 500+ volunteers work to ensure young women's prom dreams come true. Thanks to the  businesses who are our donation drop-off sites, the volunteers who helped pick up, sort, hang, tag, mend and clean donations, those who donated gowns, accessories and raffle prizes, those who organized and led dress donation drives at their businesses, schools and churches, the committee and contacts for the 214 high schools who helped publicize the event and those who made monetary and in-kind donations. This event could not happen without you. Be sure to see the LIST on our website.
A BIG thanks to all of the volunteers who helped over the weekend of the giveaway event. You were awesome and made the event very special for the young women!
The remaining gowns have been packed away and will be saved for next year's event. Debriefing is going on (please let us hear your feedback and suggestions). Fundraising for next year's event has begun. We are always looking for more volunteer help. If you are interested in joining the Abby's Closet BOARD OF DIRECTORS, please see the information on our website. Applications are due May 1.
See you at the "7th Annual Abby's Closet Prom Gown Giveaway." |
| Abby's Closet "May Day" Tea | | Purchase Tickets Now
It's time to start fundraising for next year's prom gown giveaway. You are invited to attend the "2nd Annual Abby's Closet Tea and Silent Auction" on Saturday, May 1st, 1:00 pm at the Lakewood Center for the Arts in Lake Oswego. This is our major fundraising event of the year. You don't want to miss it.
Do you have a fun hat you need an excuse to wear?
Do you want to hear more about this year's prom gown giveaway?
Do you want to visit with old friends and make some new ones?
Do you want to meet our Student Advisory Board members?
 If so, we hope you will join us. Once again, friends of Abby's Closet will be providing delicious treats and special teas. The table decorations will be spectacular, with an eclectic mix of collector tea cups and tea pots. Tickets are $25 each and a limited number are NOW ON SALE. Host a table and invite your family and friends to join you (up to 8 people).
Donations for the raffle and silent auction would be most appreciated. Let us know if you have anything to contribute.
|
| "Prom Prance" Fun Run | | | Student Advisory Board Event
How much would you pay to see a friend run in a dress?
Here's your chance to have some fun and raise money for Abby's Closet. The STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD is organizing a "Prom  Prance" Fun Run to benefit Abby's Closet. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 23, 1:00 pm, at the Lake Oswego High School Track.
The Run is 400-meter heats, followed by a one-mile walk/run for all participants. All you need to do is find that "special dress" (no Abby's Closet dresses will be used), sign up, get sponsors, have fun!
Participant Cost: Students $15; Adults $25
Spectator Cost: Students $4; Adults $5
Get your friends and family to sponsor you! How much would someone pay to see you run in a dress? Reach out to peers, co-workers, family and friends and find out how much they will donate to see you run 400 meters in a dress. Anyone who raises over $100 for Abby's Closet beyond their entry fee will receive a special sash with the amount they raised on it. The top 8 money-raisers will race in the final heat to see who gets crowned " Prom Prance Fun Run" Queen and/or King.
Join the fun by running, volunteering or cheering the runners on. Registration starts NEXT WEEK. |
| CHECK OUT THE COMMENTS ON FACEBOOK | | | Abby's Closet Fan Page
Check out all of the COMMENTS AND PICTURES that have been added to the Abby's Closet Facebook Fan Page by high school  students who attended the giveaway event. They are wonderful!
Thank you to everyone who has posted messages. We hope others will add their comments. We especially love to see pictures of students in their beautiful Abby's Closet gowns.
Blush Beauty Bar Volunteers | If you haven't joined the fan page yet, please do so and encourage your friends to also join. This is where we post the latest news.
|
| AN AMAZING YOUNG WOMAN | | | Article In The Oregonian
Abby's Closet Co-Founder Abby Egland was very excited to help student Hannah Morrison find the perfect prom gown at Abby's Closet. Read the story about this amazing young woman in THE OREGONIAN. |
| HOW YOU CAN HELP | | Donations Needed
Our new year of planning for the next giveaway event starts  now. We hope you will continue DONATING your gently-used gowns and accessories. This year, we ran low on gowns in sizes 0-4 and 15+. If you are out shopping and see gowns in those sizes that are reasonably priced, we hope you will consider purchasing and donating them. Or, if you would like to make a cash donation, we will purchase gowns for you.
We also had many young women asking for wraps in neutral colors to accessorize their gowns. If you are a seamstress and have fabric and time to spare, we would love it if you would make some wraps for next year's event.
|
|
Thank you for your continued support of Abby's Closet.
Sincerely,
Sally Egland
President
Abby's Closet |
|
|
