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University senior helps make prom dreams come true
Abby Egland's charity distributes used dresses to girls who can't afford them
by Tess McBride | News reporter
When Abby Egland was packing her belongings, about to enter the University, she came across her pink, "princess-like" prom dress. Similar to other girls, Egland's first impulse was to hold onto the dress and its memories, some memories she realized other girls are being deprived of because of financial reasons.
Egland, currently a senior, and her mother decided to start with Egland's pink prom gown and create the charity Abby's Closet, a non-profit organization that accepts and then donates used prom dresses to high school girls who can't afford them and would have to miss the cultural milestone of prom.
"Prom, to me, was one of my best high school memories," Egland said. "It's something every girl should get to experience."
In its third year, Abby's Closet is expecting a donation of 2,000 dresses, and hopes to give out at least half of them to high school girls who attend an event at the Portland Convention Center on April 14 and 15.
"Each year we evolve and learn from process and procedure and flow and make it a better experience for the girls," said Jen Nelson, who is in charge of advertising and publicity for the event.
Nelson said she donated seven dresses last year, and like Egland, her first impulse was to hold on to them for the memories. At the event, she found a girl who chose one of her dresses, which she said made all her efforts worthwhile, by seeing how excited the girl was to have the gown.
"It's truly humbling because it makes you realize all you take for granted," Nelson said.
Egland, who is the youngest child in her family and has three older brothers, said she never wore dresses and that this made her prom dress really special. She also watched girls walking around with their friends and admiring the gowns, and saw one choose one of her dresses.
"It's so cool to see your dress go out there and continue to let those memories live on," she said, adding that something special about the event is that almost every dress is unique, which makes the girls feel unique as well.
Egland, currently a senior, and her mother decided to start with Egland's pink prom gown and create the charity Abby's Closet, a non-profit organization that accepts and then donates used prom dresses to high school girls who can't afford them and would have to miss the cultural milestone of prom.
"Prom, to me, was one of my best high school memories," Egland said. "It's something every girl should get to experience."
In its third year, Abby's Closet is expecting a donation of 2,000 dresses, and hopes to give out at least half of them to high school girls who attend an event at the Portland Convention Center on April 14 and 15.
"Each year we evolve and learn from process and procedure and flow and make it a better experience for the girls," said Jen Nelson, who is in charge of advertising and publicity for the event.
Nelson said she donated seven dresses last year, and like Egland, her first impulse was to hold on to them for the memories. At the event, she found a girl who chose one of her dresses, which she said made all her efforts worthwhile, by seeing how excited the girl was to have the gown.
"It's truly humbling because it makes you realize all you take for granted," Nelson said.
Egland, who is the youngest child in her family and has three older brothers, said she never wore dresses and that this made her prom dress really special. She also watched girls walking around with their friends and admiring the gowns, and saw one choose one of her dresses.
"It's so cool to see your dress go out there and continue to let those memories live on," she said, adding that something special about the event is that almost every dress is unique, which makes the girls feel unique as well.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Lisa Bloom
posted 3/15/07 @ 10:47 AM PST
Love the article. I just got my jewelry for prom from http://www.glamforless.com/Jewelry.htm and love them. You may want to check them out.
Jenaee Johnson
posted 7/06/08 @ 9:55 PM PST
This is a wonderful story. I did not attend prom, and I can totally relate.
orwellduk
posted 7/07/08 @ 3:00 PM PST
I only hope that she buys some Nike shoes to wear with her Tiger Woods prom dress. Nike, Just do it! I support Nike and I am going to the Nike outlet to pick up some new sneakers and maybe a sweatshirt. (Continued…)
Zyler Marshall
posted 7/08/08 @ 4:35 PM PST
Prom was a very special time for me. The prom dress is the center piece that fines womanhood. I would love to attend prom again, and would want every young girl to have that opportunity. (Continued…)
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