NATIONAL SERVICE PARTNER FEATURE
G R E AT E R B A LT I M O R E
BALTIMORE SISTERS
Help Local Teens Build Confidence for Prom By: Ashley Hoogstraten Burk (Beta Pi 2007/Eastern Illinois) It’s no secret that Alpha Sigma Tau’s partnership with Dress for Success has been a hit from the start, but events like this really reinforce that we are right where we’re meant to be. After gaining inspiration from hearing Dress for Success Worldwide CEO Joi Gordon speak at the Sorority’s 42nd National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Emily Hamsher Kindred (Beta Delta 2008/Duquesne) reached out to her local affiliate to see what the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter could do to support their efforts. Unfortunately Dress for Success Greater Baltimore was going through a transition and didn’t have any opportunities for the chapter at the time, but it wasn’t long before Sisters had an opportunity to connect with Dress for Success and give back. Just a few months later, the affiliate contacted the Baltimore Alumnae chapter with an opportunity: to outfit young women in the area with dresses and accessories for their high school proms.
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When the news broke, the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter immediately jumped at the opportunity to help and later reached out to the Beta Mu Chapter at Salisbury University to join them in their efforts. From there, Prom Giveaway was born. Evelyn Gaines, Dress for Success Greater Baltimore Board President, worked with the groups in the weeks leading up to and during the event. Evelyn’s team created a Facebook event page for the cause which sparked the interest of several local Alpha Sigma Tau alumnae who had not realized there was such a great Dress for Success presence in the area. Many area alumnae donated gently used prom, bridesmaid, and evening dresses and accessories, dropping them off with the Beta Mu collegians. On the day of the event, collegians and alumnae arrived two hours early to prepare the site for the day’s excitement. Some members sorted donations by size and color for easy shopping, while others
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