Young women looking for the perfect formal gown or party dress of their dreams for this year’s formal and semi-formal events are invited to a free dress giveaway, Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 6 from 1-3 p.m. at the Birch & Blossom event venue located at 112 E. Main St. in Hart.
This premiere event is being sponsored by The Salvage Yard CARS (Christian and Recreation Services) Youth Center, a 501(c)(3) youth ministry based in Hart and led by Scott and Maggie Granlee. Their first annual dress drive began last spring, with a goal of collecting 100 prom and homecoming dresses.
“We didn’t just reach our goal, we blew past it with over 400 dresses in all sizes and styles collected," Maggie, who is also a CARS youth center board member, exclaimed. “Every young woman deserves the chance to pull up to her special night feeling confident, beautiful, valued and ready to make memories. To help make that possible, we at The Salvage Yard decided it was time to get these beautiful dresses out of the closet, garage or resale shop and ‘back on the road.' A huge shout-out to Cinderella’s Closet at Lakes Mall and everyone who helped make this possible! Come find a dress that makes you feel like it was made just for you, no price tag, no pressure, just an opportunity to find something special for your big night.”
The Granlees say there’s still time to donate gently-used prom or homecoming dresses, simply bring them to the event Sept. 5 and 6. They only ask that individuals picking up a free dress regift it or return it when they are done using it. “The idea is to keep these dresses ‘free’ to others, not sold online, etc.,” said Granlee.
“Maybe that dress has already had its big night. Maybe it holds memories of a special dance, a first date, or a milestone. Sometimes a great dress is just sitting in a closet, like a classic car sitting in the garage, waiting for someone to give it a second chance. But just like a classic car, a dress can have more than one story. Together, we can turn dresses that have been ‘parked’ for a while into opportunities, turn old memories into new beginnings, and help young women in our community arrive at their special night with confidence, dignity and joy,” the Granlees shared.
The Granlees wish to extend a huge thank you to Birch & Blossom for donating the space for this weekend’s event and noted that it is because of community partners like them that these types of events can take place.
Volunteers are still needed. Please visit www.carsyouthcenter.com, call 231-683-6832 or email carsyouthcenter25@gmail.com.
Donations may be submitted via Venmo to Scott Granlee@CarsYouthCenter or mailed to Cars Youth Center at 4152 N. 120th Ave., Hart, MI 49420.
