Used homecoming, prom dresses moved to new location
One of the many beautiful prom dresses for loan at the Dreams Come True Closet is pictured here. The closet also features wedding, homecoming, canal-era, and other special occasion dresses.
WEST LAFAYETTE – When Jessie Tubbs worked at Family and Children First Council a few years ago, she became aware that a few girls from the Coshocton Opportunity School couldn’t afford prom dresses. Tubbs approached the school and offered to loan out dresses to girls who may not be able to afford one of their own. She began asked friends and family to donate used prom dresses and the response was overwhelming.
The next year, not only did Tubbs help girls at the Opportunity School, but also received referrals from teachers and guidance counselors at all area schools. More people in the community donated dresses and the volume soon outnumbered the amount Tubbs could fit in her closet.
In 2015, Tubbs moved her dresses out to her garage and held an event where girls could come in and chose a dress to borrow. Unfortunately, the event was not well attended and as even more dresses came in, Tubbs quickly filled her garage space.
That is when Shanna and Alyna Weaver stepped in. Alyna had borrowed dresses from Tubbs to wear to the West Lafayette Homecoming Festival and she decided that as a community service project, she wanted to house and manage Tubbs’ used dress program.
“All of my girls have always gone to Jessie to borrow dresses for the West Lafayette Homecoming,” said Shanna. “Alyna wanted to take over because she had always borrowed dresses from Jessie and she wanted to do this as a community service project.”
Now, Shanna’s full basement is used to house the “Dreams Come True Closet” which features more than 177 short homecoming dresses and approximately three times that many formal full-length prom dresses. However, the used dresses also consist of wedding, bridesmaids, and even canal-era dresses for loan.
Both Tubbs and Shanna adamantly state that these dresses are for loan only and they should be returned to Shanna within at least two weeks after dresses are borrowed. Shanna requires that each girl fills out a form with their name and phone number and they will be contacted two weeks after their event if the dress has not been returned. Unfortunately, some sell their dress which disqualifies them from ever being able to borrow a dress from Shanna in the future.
“The rest of the girls really do appreciate it and that makes it all worth every dress that doesn’t come back,” said Tubbs.
The dresses are in all different sizes, colors, and styles and can be loaned to anyone regardless of income. They can also be loaned to adults for special occasions. Sizes range from zero to 28 and Shanna is in need of sizes 16 and larger, but any size dress will be accepted for donation.
“I love to see them walk out in their dress,” said Shanna. “When they walk out, they’re lighter than air with their beautiful dress on.”
Shanna and Tubbs are looking for a permanent location to house the dresses with a fitting room and multiple volunteers. An unused upstairs or basement in a local business would be a perfect place. They are also hoping to have a fashion show once they find a better location.
To contact Shanna about borrowing a dress or donating a dress, call 740-693-5035 or via Facebook at Dreams Come True Closet.
Category: People & Places
