Thanks to the support of the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro areas, Max I. Walker Cleaners raised more than $8,600 for the Open Door Mission’s Lydia House during the third annual Ultra Chic Prom Boutique — a fundraiser that took place on Feb. 27 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center.
When I arrived at the boutique at 7:30 a.m. to volunteer at the event, I was stunned by how many girls were lined up, waiting for the doors to open. I couldn’t see the end of the line as it wound around the hallway. Once the doors opened, everyone made a mad dash for the dress racks. When the dressing rooms filled up, girls found a corner of the boutique to try on their dresses. It was like those designer bridal events you see on TV.
The Lydia House provides emergency services and basic needs, as well as counseling, to help single women and families regain their independence. The Ultra Chic Prom Boutique is a great event because it benefits Lydia House, and it also allows girls who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford a formal dress to find one at a price they can afford, so they can attend prom and school dances.
Max I. Walker collected more than 1,700 dresses throughout the metro area, and they cleaned, pressed and prepared the gowns to look as good as new for the Ultra Chic Prom Boutique. Each dress was only $20, and nearly 500 were sold. Shoppers included high school students, college students and even brides-to-be.
Most of the remaining dresses were donated to the Open Door Mission’s Timberlake Outreach Center and Women's Career Workshop, which serves homeless and working poor individuals and families. The women from the Lydia House complete one of these career workshops as part of their recovery process. After the women and teenagers from Lydia House determine which dresses they can sue, the remaining dresses will become available to the community at the Timberlake Outreach Center at 2107 E. Locust Street.
Max I. Walker is already looking ahead for next year’s Ultra Chic Prom Boutique, and you can donate dresses at any of their 20 stores.
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