'Formally Yours' Readies Local Girls For Prom Season
Springfield, Missouri (April 3, 2010)… Today, over 100 girls from Springfield Public Schools will be ready for prom. Female Leaders in Philanthropy, (FLIP), spun this project off of their successful initiative, Suit Yourself. Formally Yours helped to outfit young women who might not otherwise be able to go to prom.
Confidential invitations were extended by school counselors to come shop the 'boutique' on Saturday, April 3, from 10a.m.-3p.m. The boutique was located at the Springfield Discovery Center, in the Community Room. 'Personal Shopping' volunteers were on hand to help the girls select dresses and coordinate accessories.
This is the second year for the program. In 2008, United Way Board member, Dr Norman Ridder, Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools fostered the idea at a United Way board meeting and Raylene Appleby, president of PJC Insurance and UW Board member took the next step and with the help of FLIP volunteers, made the idea a reality.
"With the success of Suit Yourself, we knew that Formally Yours would work as well. So many friends and FLIP volunteers have helped to get the dresses and accessories; the community has exceeded our expectations," comments Raylene Appleby. "Our community is so generous; this is just an amazing project."
Suit Yourself collects new and gently worn career attire to distribute to women re-entering the work force. Along with providing appropriate clothing, the group also provides mentoring, access to educational courses and employment opportunities.
Female Leaders in Philanthropy (FLIP) was found through United Way of the Ozarks in 2003 to help women better understand their power and influence in humanitarianism as well as provide them with the opportunity to participate in philanthropic endeavors. FLIP has three main areas of focus: Children at-risk, Healthy Families and Basic Needs & Self Sufficiency. FLIP is an initiative of the United Way of the Ozarks.
For more information please contact Cindy Howell, at United Way of the Ozarks, 417.863.7700 or 417.830.0852.
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