I collected 101 dresses through
donations. I was able to meet with 39 girls, and we gave away 52 dresses (I
allowed a couple of girls to have a short and a long dress). 32 were passed on
the Key Club for future projects, and 17 were deemed too old in style or worn
and were donated to Deseret Industries.
Here are some of the comments I
received from parents:
“This
is such a great project!”
“You
are doing such a great thing!”
“This
is helping out our family so much!”
“Thank
you!! It’s just perfect!”
This project was two years in the making, and the project as it was first envisioned, was not the same project I held yesterday. A few of the challenges I faced were personal growing experiences and logistical, which pushed my critical thinking. I was able to get 21 dresses donated from a manufacture, brand new, current fashion, expensive dresses to give away. To get those dresses I had to ask, I had to present to the president of the company (scary!!). I then reached out to almost 150 local businesses that benefit from the prom culture. To my surprise, even though I asked twice and many of these companies I did try to reach by more than just a letter, I got response from only 2. I knew with this, I was going to have to revise my hope of having give aways and more opportunity for new dresses to give away. While the months of gathering dresses went past, I focused on set up, location, and meeting the girls needs. This was another road block. This is an outside project and even though it was to benefit the students of a public school, the rules are clear what access an outsider can have to public schools. RHS counseling and administration did wonderfully in walking a line in helping me reach my goal. Not being able to hold the event at the school was another factor that had to be overcome. Roy City offices where amazing and offered the use of the downstairs meeting room for free!
Things that went beyond my expectations where in the gathering of dresses. I focused on local donations, and was not disappointed! I even had a wonderful scout mentor make a personal goal of gathering dresses (thank you Joelle!). What I walked away with knowing yesterday was that I did a great thing! The happy faces of the girls when they tried on a dress that fit them perfect, or was something they knew they would not be able to have if this project had not been available. When a dress was perfect, I had a number of girls that did not want to take the dresses off. It was so fun to share in their joy! And their friends and families. The comments above are the words they said, but for this "no touchy" girl, the unconsolidated "forced" hugs, really meant so much and showed me what this project meant to them.
I am excited for the future of this project, and heard from many yesterday that they will look to support this project and pass on to others for the support they received. This project is be passed on to the RHS Key Club and I know they are going to have a successful run! Having full access to the students to advertise for dress gathers after each event, and holding an open house event that girls can come to with in-house advertising. Also, the identification of those in need will be easier through teachers, friends, administration, and counseling.
I have been a Girl Scout for 13 years, and done a great number of service projects. Building to this was my Bronze and Silver awards, both big for where I was in life, and now the opportunity to identify a need and make a difference in my community. Girl Scouts has pushed me beyond my comfort level and helped me to become a dedicated, focused, goal driven, and accomplished project manager.
