All dressed up with someplace to go
Got an old (but still hot!) prom
dress hanging in your closet? You
may not use it again, but rest
assured there's a young woman out
there who'd love to make it her
own.
All Dressed Up, an organization founded by Const. Michelle Murphy, with the Oxford County OPP, gives new life to used dresses.
Murphy began All Dressed Up in 2007 as a way to help eighthgraders and graduating high school students from Oxford County and beyond boost their self-esteem.
"It's nice to be able to pamper them," she said. "Especially eighth graders — it's nice that everyone's on the same level; you're going to your grad in a dress that's comparable to everybody else's and you're getting the same services as everybody else."
A Fashion Expo takes place a few months before prom and grad season, where young women come to choose their dresses, accessories and shoes. The first year saw 11 girls participating, and the number of participants has remained around 40 in the years since. This year's Fashion Expo takes place on March 4, from 4 to 10 p.m. in the Ingersoll District Memorial Arena.
All Dressed Up is not limited to people in certain socioeconomic circles, but is open to any young woman who may need a boost before her prom or grad. "It's more about whomever we can help — there's no real criteria," said Murphy.
"One mom called about her daughter, who just didn't feel good about herself," remembered Murphy. Though the family could afford a dress, the girl's mother said she wasn't interested in trying on dresses, and could use a bit of pampering. "She had some body image issues," added Murphy. "She came and found a dress and was excited."
Part of the reason All Dressed Up is able to help such a variety of people is because of the many donations from people throughout the community. Through her work, Murphy has connections to CoverGirl and Mary Kay makeup, which both donate "hundreds of dollars" worth of beauty products.
A local dry-cleaner also cleans the dresses that are picked for free.
Fanshawe students are also involved. The Woodstock campus esthetics students give gift certificates for the girls to use to get their hair done before their big night. The girls are invited to get their hair cut, coloured and styled. "It's good for those (Fanshawe) students ... it's fun to have the young girls come in," said Murphy.
Murphy added that some students from Fanshawe's fashion design program are volunteering to do alterations.
If you'd like to volunteer to help out, but can't sew your way out of a paper bag, you can also volunteer to be a personal shopper, who helps each girl choose the best dress for her.
If you've got a fashionable dress, jewelery, shoes, purses or anything else needed for a great night out, bring them to the Campus Security Services office in room D1027. Cash donations are also welcome. For more information, contact Const. Michelle Murphy: 519-485-6554.
All Dressed Up, an organization founded by Const. Michelle Murphy, with the Oxford County OPP, gives new life to used dresses.
Murphy began All Dressed Up in 2007 as a way to help eighthgraders and graduating high school students from Oxford County and beyond boost their self-esteem.
"It's nice to be able to pamper them," she said. "Especially eighth graders — it's nice that everyone's on the same level; you're going to your grad in a dress that's comparable to everybody else's and you're getting the same services as everybody else."
A Fashion Expo takes place a few months before prom and grad season, where young women come to choose their dresses, accessories and shoes. The first year saw 11 girls participating, and the number of participants has remained around 40 in the years since. This year's Fashion Expo takes place on March 4, from 4 to 10 p.m. in the Ingersoll District Memorial Arena.
All Dressed Up is not limited to people in certain socioeconomic circles, but is open to any young woman who may need a boost before her prom or grad. "It's more about whomever we can help — there's no real criteria," said Murphy.
"One mom called about her daughter, who just didn't feel good about herself," remembered Murphy. Though the family could afford a dress, the girl's mother said she wasn't interested in trying on dresses, and could use a bit of pampering. "She had some body image issues," added Murphy. "She came and found a dress and was excited."
Part of the reason All Dressed Up is able to help such a variety of people is because of the many donations from people throughout the community. Through her work, Murphy has connections to CoverGirl and Mary Kay makeup, which both donate "hundreds of dollars" worth of beauty products.
A local dry-cleaner also cleans the dresses that are picked for free.
Fanshawe students are also involved. The Woodstock campus esthetics students give gift certificates for the girls to use to get their hair done before their big night. The girls are invited to get their hair cut, coloured and styled. "It's good for those (Fanshawe) students ... it's fun to have the young girls come in," said Murphy.
Murphy added that some students from Fanshawe's fashion design program are volunteering to do alterations.
If you'd like to volunteer to help out, but can't sew your way out of a paper bag, you can also volunteer to be a personal shopper, who helps each girl choose the best dress for her.
If you've got a fashionable dress, jewelery, shoes, purses or anything else needed for a great night out, bring them to the Campus Security Services office in room D1027. Cash donations are also welcome. For more information, contact Const. Michelle Murphy: 519-485-6554.
