My organization will be giving away free dresses to high school girls who cannot afford a prom dress. This event will happen in March 2007, I would like to know which department stores are known to get involved in the community. They can even be dresses from last fashion season.
All we are asking for is clean and good condition items that these young girls will apperciate.
Thank you
2006-12-20 13:39:13 · 7 answers · asked by star24 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
The best way to get businesses involved in something like this is to find a way to give them something back from their donation.
If you can put a name on your "campaign", come up with a few flyers, and then talk to all the local TV/radio/newspapers outlets. Try to get some free publicity for your event.
Then, you go to the businesses with a proposal to donate xx dresses in exchange for being named as a sponsor of your campaign. They get priceless advertising naming them as a great community player, you get the dresses you need.
If you plan to continue to do this every year, another thing to consider is to start a year-round fundraising campaign to fund this effort. I would be happy to help with that if you need the help.
Good luck.
2006-12-20 22:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by myopenhandsguy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know when we have solicited help in the past we sent letters out on letterhead (PTA) and then followed up with a call. Sometimes calling first to find out the appro. person or dept. I would suggest Target if you have them in your area, they've been great. Also local wedding places and perhaps Ross and the like- Burlington Coat Factory? Individuals might be happy to donate- often the girls from other schools or that are now in College might- do you have a local College? Ask to put up a flyer or two, maybe in the cafe or dorm? Then its not directly from the girls coming before them. Maybe even some of the close-out stores on ebay to- worth a email- I donated Equestrian paintings for a race horse retirement farm auction-via just such an email. Good luck, a very nice thing to do.
2006-12-20 21:52:34 · answer #2 · answered by ARTmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seriously doubt you're going to get a department store to do this.
The sell prom dresses and would see it as a conflict of interest to simply give them away.
Last years models would have been "clearanced" and sold at a discount or returned to the manufacturer.
Your better bet is to try to raise money, then buy prom dresses from a consignment shop. Ask for donations from families that had a girl go to prom LAST year, or ask Walmart to donate fabric and such and sew your own.
2006-12-20 21:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by chocolahoma 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where I live, a local dry cleaners sponsors the whole thing. They advertise on the radio for donations, then receive the dresses and clean them. It's good publicity for them, and they do the work for you. The dresses are not new, but most have been worn only once and are in great condition.
2006-12-21 00:10:58 · answer #4 · answered by Katherine W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put it in writing, and make it look and sound professional. If you just go in, you might find that they think you just want a prom dress for your daughters, and it's too easy to say no. It would be even better if you could offer them something in return-- an ad in the school paper, or something like that. Good Luck!!
2006-12-20 21:49:03 · answer #5 · answered by Annie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call around to various stores and talk to them, one good way to get them to help more is to promise to mention where the donated dresses came from. Walmart is big on donations as are some other retealers.
2006-12-20 21:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by singledad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would just go to the store and ask to talk to the person in charge of that department..expplain the situation..you will be suprised how generous people are when it comes to these types of things
2006-12-20 21:41:57 · answer #7 · answered by diane b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋