Going, going...gown
VALENCIA — Looking for a discounted prom dress, wedding gown or unique accessory? Add a senior citizen community to your shopping destinations.
Two large racks of dresses along with boxes of shoes and accessories fill the Pennies for Patients headquarters on the St. Barnabas Valencia campus, waiting to find new owners during a used dress sale on March 24.
St. Barnabas Health System operates a nursing home, assisted living care and retirement community at 85 Charity Place in Valencia. This is the first time the company has hosted a used dress sale.
"As the prom season is coming up and getting into wedding season, we wanted to offer gently used items," said Diane Whetsell, the event coordinator."It's been fun going through everything. We kind of reminisce about all the formal wear from a few years ago," she said.
Whetsell recently perused the donated formal wear while two other women involved in St. Barnabas charity work modeled dresses."Doesn't this look nice?" said Kathy Seaton, a dress donor, to Renee Ruk, a development assistant with St. Barnabas. Ruk was trying on a wedding dress while Seaton spread its train evenly on the floor.While they were showing off dresses, an anonymous donor came to the door and dropped off more dresses to put up for sale."They keep on coming in," said Whetsell. She is the special events assistant with St. Barnabas Charities, which is the fund-raising arm of St. Barnabas Health System.The sale will be in the dining room at Washington Place also on the St. Barnabas Gibsonia campus, 5847 Meridian Road.About five select items — including bridal gowns and some newer items — will be auctioned off, while the rest will be sold at discount prices. Six dress vendors will have displays and formal wear for sale, with dressing rooms available onsite.The event's coordinators are excited about the items they have."We have several vintage furs dating back to the 50s and 60s," said Whetsell. "But there are some great newer things as well."She said they have a selection of wedding gowns, including a few donated from Dreams Do Come True bridal and special occasion store in Richland Township.Tickets to the event are $2. If people pay the $2 ticket in advance, they can go to the show's preview at noon on March 24 to purchase dresses before the main event at 1 p.m.All money goes toward St. Barnabas' fund that helps patients unable to afford services.Seaton, of Pine Township, donated a sequined evening dress with beading and matching satin shoes."It is time for someone else to enjoy it, and I'm glad the money made will help a patient," said Seaton.She said she bought the dress while visiting her son in Charlotte, N.C., a few years ago. When she heard St. Barnabas was looking for formal wear, she decided to donate the dress.She joked she is sure the empty spot in her closet will soon be filled."We women always like to buy new things. I'm sure next year I'll have something else to donate," she said, laughing.Whetsell said many donations have been anonymous."We have people dropping things off after hours and driving away. The community has been very generous."Used formal dresses and accessories in good condition may be dropped off at the Pennies for Patients headquarters until March 22.For more information or to buy tickets early, call Whetsell at 724-443-0700, Ext. 5328.
<B>WHAT: </B>Used formal wear sale and auction<B>WHEN: </B>1 to 4 p.m. March 24<B>WHERE: </B>Washington Place on St. Barnabas' Gibsonia campus, 5850 Meridian Road<B>COST: </B>$2. If paid in advance, the fee will include a noon preview.<B>INFORMATION: </B>Call Diane Whetsell, 724-443-0700, Ext. 5328
