Local organization giving away 1,000 free homecoming dresses

School just started for local high school students, and homecoming is right around the corner. One organization is giving away free dresses for girls that may need a little help getting ready for the dance.Becca's Closet was started by Rebecca Kirtman, a Florida high school student. She collected 250 dresses and gave them away to needy girls. Rebecca was killed soon after in a car accident. Her friends and family have spread the program around the country in her memory. The local Rockford chapter, located at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, opened its doors today for the homecoming season."We want to give away special dresses for proms and homecomings and other special events, to make it possible for girls who might not otherwise be able to afford to go to those events, so they can participate just like everyone else." -says Becca's Closet Volunteer Coordinator Mariel Heinke.Becca's Closet is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon, from now until October 20th.
Now three Hamilton ladies are giving former brides, grooms and bridesmaids the opportunity to showcase their special outfits one more time at a charity ball.The wedding themed ball at the Byre in East Kilbride on September 8 is set to raise money for Cancer Research and Alzheimer's UK.CC annual clothing drive, exchange nearing.Both charities are close to the hearts of sisters Carolann Dunbar and Mariette Giblin and their cousin Megan Martin.
Mariette, 32, said: "My sister saw a wedding themed charity ball advertised last year and it just looked so fun and unusual that in February we decided to organise our own event."We've had loads of feedback on Facebook, from mostly ladies excited about the possibility of wearing their dresses again."We didn't need to put any thought into the charities we really wanted to raise money for cancer and Alzheimer's."One of our close family members had Alzheimer's and Megan's mum and dad have both passed away from cancer, so we want to raise as much money as possible in their memory."As well as being encouraged to dress to impress in wedding attire there will be a champagne reception, iCandy Butlers, live entertainment from Michael O'Shay and a finger buffet throughout the night.Her mother, who also suffers from a non-specific disorder that afflicts her joints and has caused her pain that doctors for years have been unable to explain, plays a supporting role in the show, especially when the discussion turns to her daughter's medical condition.