Girls in White Satin coordinates donations as fundraiser
by Eric A Thomas
For three years, Girls in White Satin has been teaming up with a national organization to bring awareness to breast cancer through the donation of wedding gowns.
This year was a banner year for their donation.
“While attending the National Bridal Market Chicago, we found out about this organization called Brides against Breast Cancer (BABC),” states Terryl Boulanger, one of the owners of Girls in White Satin.
“Being a female-owned business, breast cancer research is near and dear to our hearts,” says Boulanger. BABC has been spreading the word through this program since 1997. The charity has received over 50,000 dresses donated in the last 2 decades.
“If donating a few dresses helps in any way, then we are all aboard,” continues Boulanger.
The nonprofit organization requests women who once felt special in their wedding dresses to create a smile on another bride’s face by donating the dresses for a good cause — proceeds go toward raising funds for various breast cancer causes. The donated wedding dresses, which range anywhere from $500-$2000, are sold at great discounts.
“In addition, this organization recently partnered with JScreen, a nonprofit national organization that offers genetic screening, education, at-home testing, genetic counseling and personal health advice,” adds Becky Welles Baumgart, co-owner of Girls in White Satin.
Baumgart says, “When we started, we were excited to donate 10 to 12 dresses per year, but we were over the moon excited by donating 30 dresses to this amazing charity!” Over the last three years, Girls in White Satin has donated in excess of $40,000 worth of gowns.
Every year on the third weekend of October, Girls in White Satin hosts they White Satin Extravaganza. They make a commitment to customers that for every dress they sell during this weekend, Girls in White Satin will donate a dress to Brides against Breast Cancer.
During the month of October, they invite customers to donate their dresses post-wedding. However, dress donations are accepted all year round.
The requirements for donating are that the dress itself should not be older than three years and it needs to have an original purchase price of $1,000 or more. They set these requirements to provide a good quality dress for the next person on their special day.
By selling, brides avoid preservation costs and years of storage hassle. The resale proceeds fund good causes and 501(c)(3) receipts are available. To learn more about this charitable organization, visit them at www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org.
In their 14th year of business, Girls in White Satin is a full wedding apparel store located in the main level of Hamilton’s 110 on East State Street in Jacksonville. Boulanger, Baumgart and their staff are excited to offer all the current trends for bridal gowns, tuxedos, bridesmaids, mothers and flower girls. They also offer a full line of sparkling accessories to complete the bridal look.
