SHAMOKIN -- Exquisite and expensive prom gowns and special-occasion dresses ranging in styles from classic A-line silhouettes to form-fitting gowns with ruffles or pleats of lace were available recently in Grace Lutheran Church at a hard-to-beat price: $10 worth of toiletries. Those items will be sent to local women soldiers serving in Iraq.
It was all part of a giant swap project called Fairy Godmother's Helpers, thought up by Caitlin Sherman, Karin Clark, Kendra Fry and Alyssa Orme, all ninth-graders at Shamokin Area Junior-Senior High School and members of Girl Scout Troop 2008.
The project was one of the final steps in a six-step, multi-year program that leads to the Silver Award, the highest award available to a Cadette Girl Scout. The award is symbolic of accomplishments in scouting and community activities.
"The original concept was inspired by Cinderella's Closet, a Web site that sells beautiful evening gowns for teens," said Dawn Clark, of Irish Valley, a troop leader.
"This is a tough economy," she said. "Combine the cost of heating oil with the cold winter we had, and with the prom season upon us, we wanted to help girls get a beautiful prom gown for a little bit of money. Some of those gowns can go for $300 new."
The girls then linked their original idea to helping women soldiers in Iraq.
"We knew some people who had friends in Iraq," Clark said. "Their reaction to this has been heart-warming. The women we are sending the items to are really excited. They appreciate everything sent to them. We're sending them deodorant, pencils, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, hand sanitizers and food."
Among the gowns available for swapping were new dresses donated by Lewisburg Bridal and two stores in Selinsgrove, Bridals by J and Bride's Bouquet.
"Bridals by J gave us 12 to 15 new gowns," Clark said. "It was quite generous of them, and we were so grateful. We also got a gown from Lewisburg Bridal that had a price tag of $399 on it. That one didn't last long."
"The entire event was very successful," said Lori Fry, of Coal Township, another troop leader. "We started collecting dresses as far back as February. We wound up with about 170 donated dresses and were able to get toiletries for 70 of them. That's a pretty good percentage."
"I think the event went good. I was surprised by how well things did go," said Kendra Fry. Karin Clark also was "pretty happy with how things went."
"I was surprised and happy by how many dresses we actually sold," Caitlin Sherman added.
There are about 100 gowns left. On Wednesday night, while the girls packed up the toiletries, Bernadette Chaundy, of Stonington, dropped by the church. "I know someone who needs a wedding dress," she said, "and there are some really beautiful gowns here."
Dawn Clark did not think there would be another swap day before the prom. "We're getting pretty close to the prom," she said. But, if someone is interested in one of the dresses, and would like to swap toiletries for one, she may call Lori Fry at 648-5548.
"Meanwhile, Carl Fisher, an activities director at an assisted-living home in Selinsgrove, called and told us that they are holding a seniors prom with residents," Clark said. "He then told us he needs some dresses for the prom. Their ages are 82 on up, 82 to 100. He's coming here this Friday, buying 10 to 15 dresses, we hope. I think that's very cool."
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Special swap
Trades of toiletries for gowns will aid women soldiers
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