"MW Cares" Prom Dress Drive Transforms High School Student into Prom Night Princess - Kingwood

Published: Apr 01, 2016, 3:00pm

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For the second year in a row, MW Cleaners has partnered with Giving Gown Foundation for a very special event; the annual MW Cares Prom Dress Drive and Boutique Days. The drive was conceived last year by MW Cleaners president Mike Nesbit to collect new and gently used prom gowns to be collected at their locations, professionally cleaned and sent to Giving Gown's facilities for their Boutique Days event, where the dresses were presented to more than 1,200 young ladies at no cost.

The event was so successful last year that its scope has expanded even more for 2016. One very royal recipient of last year's prom dress drive will reign in beauty at her senior prom this year. Davis High School senior Ayriela Delong didn't quite know what to expect as a recipient of the program, unsure she was going to find a dress that she would like.

"As soon as the doors opened, my mouth dropped," Delong said. "Those dresses were absolutely beautiful. There were dresses in all shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Also, there were shoes, purses and jewelry - like every girls dream was in that room."

"It is a beautiful thing they are doing," said Delong's mother, Kim. "As a single mother of three, I didn't have the funds to purchase my daughter a beautiful gown."

This year, Giving Gown Foundation has limited registration this year to the first 1,500 young ladies, and the slots are filling up fast. This year's Boutique Days will take place April 7-9. At this three-day event, the recipients are each paired with a personal shopper who helps them choose a prom gown, shoes and accessories. Recipients will receive on-site alterations, attend a self-esteem seminar, have a boutique lunch and receive a swag bag of hygiene and beauty products.

"Every girl was assigned a fairy godmother," Delong said. "She helped me pick my size and selected one in my favorite color. She then helped me select my shoes and jewelry, and right there on stage they made alterations. They were taking pictures of every moment and it was very nice."

"These young ladies are being taught that, in this world, there are people that care, that there are people who love you and want to help you move forward," said Nesbit. "Boutique Days are not only a great representation of that, but it also teaches them about self-esteem. We want to be part of that investment into these young ladies' future."

"They make the girls feel so beautiful, and like a princess," Kim said. "My daughter was shy at first but her fairy godmother took to her and had her smiling. She and a few others had tears in their eyes when they saw my daughter the first time in her dress."

Cassie Miller, Director of Operations of Giving Gown Foundation, can't help but beam with pride over what the foundation and all the volunteers do for all the lucky recipients of the event.

"One of my favorite things about Boutique Days is the transformation that we see in our princesses," said Miller. "When they arrive, they are often quiet and reserved, but they leave bursting with joy. Throughout their time with us, they are shown unconditional love and kindness. We uplift them and teach them that they are beautiful and special just as they are."

"I promise, every girl that comes next year will leave that room very satisfied," said Delong. "These dresses aren't like any other dress. These are magical. I say magical because, when I found my dress, it gave me powerful confidence."

Though the "MW Cares" prom dress drive is taking place throughout March, donations of these gowns and their accessories continues all throughout the year; since last year's event, nearly 800 more dresses have been collected and cleaned. Members of the public wishing to donate gowns and accessories may bring them to any of the 37 Houston area MW Cleaners.

To find the nearest MW Cleaners, visit www.MWCleaners.com. For more information on The Giving Gown Foundation visit www.GivingGown.org. For information on how to volunteer or donate, or how to register for Boutique Days and have your prom dreams come true, contact (713) 304-7225.