thedrifter
09-22-05, 07:34 AM
Borrowed from hubby Mark aka The Fontman
http://p089.ezboard.com/bthefontmanscommunity
Gown giveaway turns wives into Cinderellas
By Linda McIntosh
UNION-TRIBUNE COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER
September 21, 2005
CAMP PENDLETON - Misty Glore doesn't have the royal blue evening dress she wore to her first Marine Corps Ball at Camp Pendleton.
But she can tell you how she got it.
Glore chose it at the Ball Gown Giveaway hosted by the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA.
"It's really nice to know there's a place to go and get a dress without spending several hundred dollars, especially when you need one every year," said Glore, whose husband has served in the Marine Corps for seven years.
The annual giveaway is a chance for Camp Pendleton wives to be Cinderella for an evening and choose a free evening gown for the annual Navy and Marine Corps Balls in October and November.
"This is not about charity," said Dawn Baker, the giveaway coordinator and a staff member of the YMCA. "It's about the community saying, 'Thank you,' to the military."
For some wives, getting a dress is the difference between going to the ball or staying home.
Last year, the drive collected and distributed more than 800 gowns. Many were given to wives at other area bases.
For this year's giveaway on Saturday, the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA is hoping to collect up to 500 gently used evening gowns.
Glore donated hers back.
She also volunteered at the event last year, putting up clothes racks, sorting dresses and helping women find what they needed.
"It's always nice to have a second opinion," Glore said.
With dozens of racks and two fitting room areas, the giveaway had the frenzied appearance of a big department store sale.
However, it was organized with military-style planning and logistics.
"It's a huge deal," Glore said.
She remembered lining up at 5 a.m. with fellow Marine wives the first year she participated to sign up for the event, which started at 8 a.m.
Last year, Glore recalled that three wedding dresses were donated and given to Camp Pendleton brides-to-be.
"It was nice to see that everybody who came walked away with a dress," Glore said.
Operation Ball Gown Giveaway began three years ago with the help of Linda Eastwood, a former member of the board at the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA.
Since then, the giveaway has drawn hundreds of Marine and Navy wives.
Gently used, clean evening gowns sizes 10 and larger are needed. Donations are tax-deductible.
For information, call (760) 385-4921 or e-mail dbaker@camppendletonasymca.org.
Ellie
http://p089.ezboard.com/bthefontmanscommunity
Gown giveaway turns wives into Cinderellas
By Linda McIntosh
UNION-TRIBUNE COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER
September 21, 2005
CAMP PENDLETON - Misty Glore doesn't have the royal blue evening dress she wore to her first Marine Corps Ball at Camp Pendleton.
But she can tell you how she got it.
Glore chose it at the Ball Gown Giveaway hosted by the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA.
"It's really nice to know there's a place to go and get a dress without spending several hundred dollars, especially when you need one every year," said Glore, whose husband has served in the Marine Corps for seven years.
The annual giveaway is a chance for Camp Pendleton wives to be Cinderella for an evening and choose a free evening gown for the annual Navy and Marine Corps Balls in October and November.
"This is not about charity," said Dawn Baker, the giveaway coordinator and a staff member of the YMCA. "It's about the community saying, 'Thank you,' to the military."
For some wives, getting a dress is the difference between going to the ball or staying home.
Last year, the drive collected and distributed more than 800 gowns. Many were given to wives at other area bases.
For this year's giveaway on Saturday, the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA is hoping to collect up to 500 gently used evening gowns.
Glore donated hers back.
She also volunteered at the event last year, putting up clothes racks, sorting dresses and helping women find what they needed.
"It's always nice to have a second opinion," Glore said.
With dozens of racks and two fitting room areas, the giveaway had the frenzied appearance of a big department store sale.
However, it was organized with military-style planning and logistics.
"It's a huge deal," Glore said.
She remembered lining up at 5 a.m. with fellow Marine wives the first year she participated to sign up for the event, which started at 8 a.m.
Last year, Glore recalled that three wedding dresses were donated and given to Camp Pendleton brides-to-be.
"It was nice to see that everybody who came walked away with a dress," Glore said.
Operation Ball Gown Giveaway began three years ago with the help of Linda Eastwood, a former member of the board at the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA.
Since then, the giveaway has drawn hundreds of Marine and Navy wives.
Gently used, clean evening gowns sizes 10 and larger are needed. Donations are tax-deductible.
For information, call (760) 385-4921 or e-mail dbaker@camppendletonasymca.org.
Ellie