TO GIVE, TO INSPIRE | My Daughter's Dress In Oswego

GET TO KNOW THIS LOCAL 501C3 ORGANIZATION

It’s about that time. High schools are making their plans for prom and the girls are out in droves to find that perfect dress. The boutiques and department stores are proudly displaying their designs in hopes to lure interested buyers, but prices can be high for that coveted dress, and not everyone will be able to shell out the money needed to buy what they need to attend their dance. \Many just end up not going because they cannot afford the special ware. Oswego’s Mary Garcia, Founder and President of My Daughter’s Dress, believes no one should miss a special dance or occasion in their lives because of the outrageous costs. In 2017, when one of her daughter’s close friends did not attend homecoming for this reason, she got the idea of collecting donated formal wear and selling them for an affordable price – just a small donation to their organization.

The project garnered an overwhelming response from local moms and has since expanded to offer dresses, shoes and accessories for occasions including prom, homecoming, weddings, quinceaneras, bridesmaids, flower girls, and semi-formal parties. They have also just recently added a young man’s line of formal ware needs.

“The very first dress we donated was my daughter’s $800 quinceanera dress,” says Mary. “We donated it to a young lady in Lemont for her prom, and that’s where the name for our organization came from.” To date, My Daughter’s Dress has helped 867 girls find their dresses, not including the 24 wedding dresses and the 13 quinceanera dresses. “I love when a girl or woman finds ‘the dress’ and they cry and smile at the same time,” says Mary. “That’s why we do it.” The organization is run completely with volunteers and donations, both financial and formal ware. They pay rent and utilities at a space (44 Monroe St., #4, Oswego) to house their inventory and allows them to stay open for shopping and donations all year long. If you are interested in more information about My Daughter’s Dress, donating or volunteering, please visit www.mydaughtersdress.org . Mindy’s April Giving Inspiration: Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing and could make someone’s day. Don’t just think it. Say it. UPDATE: The shop is currently closed due to the COVID-19 Shelter In Place. Follow online to learn more and to stay connected to this special organization.

ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.

To read all of Mindy's To Give, To Inspire columns visit www.glancermagazine.com/to-give-to-inspire

FLIP THROUGH APRIL 2020 ISSUE

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