The Fairy Godmother Project of Music City

When I lived in Chicago, every year I'd hear about this wonderful non-profit group that collected and distributed prom dresses for teenage girls in financially challenged communities. I always wanted to be a part of it, but always heard about it after the fact. Not so great for a would-be philanthropist, right? So what did I do? I raised $3700 for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago instead. I collected donations and support from friends, family members and complete strangers! To get these donations, all I had to do was run The Chicago Marathon. Piece of cake. Um, yeah.

So I haven't done a whole lot of fundraising since then and I really miss it. It makes you feel good. It makes you a nicer person all around and Lord knows, I need all of the niceness I can get. It's a good balance to the snarkiness. That's why I was so jazzed when I saw that Wedding 101 was a part of The Fairy Godmother Project of Music City! I've jumped in with both feet and am just so happy to be helping with this amazing adventure! This is the first time the event has been held in Nashville, so the goal is to make it a fabulous time for a group of incredible girls!

The Project is set up in two big phases. First, the collection of all things prom needs. Second, the distribution of all things prom! What fun!

So, how can you help? Here's how to get involved with phase one:

Hello, local ladies? I had better see you on Saturday, March 13th between 11am-3pm at The Factory in Franklin. I do not give a rat's ass if you think it's too far to drive if you live downtown. You'd drive to Franklin for you wedding gown, wouldn't you? Think about how awesome a girl is going to feel (as well as you) if she picks one of your dresses to wear for prom. Do not deny a girl her chance at prom fabulousness! Bring your honey along and check out The Factory, drop in on Wedding 101 for some fabulous bridal assistance, or hit up downtown Franklin for some fun shopping. There are two (yes TWO!) cupcake shops you can visit to contrast and compare cake/icing ratios. And if you can't make it to The Factory, you'd better have a damn good reason. Even if you can't make it, you can mail any of the appropriate goodies (see the list below) here:

The Fairly Godmother Project of Music City

c/o Beth Glascock

1737 Red Jacket Drive

Antioch, TN 37013

Another option is to email me and I'll come pick the stuff up. Seriously.

Here are the donation guidelines: 

• Dresses/cocktail style shoes fewer than 5 years old
• Dresses and shoes should be cleaned prior to donating
• Dresses and shoes should be in good condition
• Dresses can be long or short in length
• For health and safety reasons, makeup, perfume, and lotion must be unused
• Formal jewelry and purses
• Shawls & wraps must be in good condition

The point is we want these girls to feel and look like a million bucks!

And, because I want you ladies to get involved, there is a contest.  Oh yes there is. Any woman who comes to The Factory in Franklin (I'm planning on being there all day) and donates the most usable merchandise and mentions The Thirty-Something Bride will win herself a $50 gift certificate to Frugal MacDoogal. That's right, ladies BOOZE. Of course, you must be 21 years of age in order to win that little nuggets of happiness. ID's will be checked. I really don't need ABC gettin' all up in my grill for supplying liquor to minors.

The second phase of The Project is the distribution of the dresses to the girls. We want to make it as boutique-like as possible so that's it an actual shopping experience. Chappy's on Church has generously donated their entire restaurant for Boutique Day on March 27th! How amazing is that?

We're working on another sort of contest for non-local folks who want to participate too. Or, you could just mail some darn dresses. It's for a good cause - who needs a prize for the award of a philanthropy, right?

*Have I guilted you into it yet?*

Oh, and all you local vendors? Expect some phone calls. I'm going to be hitting you up and holding you to your offers of kindness made at the HER Nashville brunch. Oh yes, I am! That's right, I'm talking to you Faccio Bridal and I'm talking to you Eye Candy Salon! Y'all were dope enough (and totally not snooty) to offer some awesome goodies. THANK YOU!

So, hop to it ladies. Go dig through your closet. Pull at the dresses that are too big/small. Those shoes that kill your feet might fit another like Cinderella's glass slipper. Seriously, are you going to wear that black shrug again? You know you'll but something else if you can get away with it. And that lipstick gift with purchase from Clinique that you know is a heinous color on you without even trying it on? Bring that stuff too.

Do you want to just get involved and donate you time? Well, we need that too. Go here and volunteer. And guess what? All donation are tax deductible. Booya.

And in a show of good faith and charity, I'm going to post my own prom picture. This is actually from my junior prom. And yes, me and my high school BFF totally planned the black/white thing. I have to dig and try to find my senior prom picture. There are black lace fingerless gloves involved. Oh yes. In the meantime, enjoy at my expense.

 

Oh, I was still totally in my slouching phase. It's just no fun to be 16 and taller than EVERYONE.  And for the record, my hair wasn't pulled back on the sides or pulled up. It was totally Flock of Seagulls/Robert Smith-esque. Nice.....

Comments

[Chic 'n Cheap Living]

I kinda totally love those pictures lady. I would totally have hit this up if I were in your area! Have a good weekend anyway1

p.s. Yes I've been your FB fan for agggggesss. :)

[Mom]

I just Googled "the Fairy Godmother Project", looking for other locations, and The Thirty-Something Bride came up in my search! It was about 6th on thel list of websites! You're famous!

[Louise]

Mom, you're so sweet. You're also playing to my overblown ideals of how important I am in the world. Stop it, or I'll be more like Dad than I already am.