For many teen girls, prom night is one of the most special nights of their lives. A local bridal shop wants to help young women with special needs enjoy their own special night by providing them with stylish gowns.
House of the Bride in Surrey Center, 493 Highland Ave., is collecting gently-used formal gowns, such as bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses, in an event called Gown Girls Give Back/Giveaway. The business will donate the gowns to the 2023 Night to Shine, a prom for those with special needs that will be held on Friday, Feb. 10 at Warren Baptist Church in Augusta.
Night to Shine is a national event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
To participate in the inaugural Gown Girls Give Back/Giveaway event, gowns can be dropped off at House of the Bride until Thursday. That day, the shop will host a drop-off event, 4-6 p.m. Tomorrow, staff will pick up gowns from various locations in Augusta, according to Whitney Downes, the store’s manager.
“We have over 100 so far,” she said. “I would assume we’ll end up with close to 200.”
Downes said they’re pleased with the community response and plan to make it an annual event.
“We hope to go and help the Night to Shine girls pick out their dresses and accessories,” she said.
There’s an extra incentive beyond just the good feeling of contributing to a good cause: For every gown that’s donated, donors will be entered in a raffle, and the grand prize is a pair of Golden Goose shoes, which often cost between $400 and $600. The winner will be given $600 to choose a pair of these designer shoes.
House of the Bride will continue to accept donations until the end of November. Night to Shine is for people ages 14 and older. For more information, contact the shop at 706-736-6500.
