How to organize a dress collection

We appreciate your interest in organizing a dress collection for Operation Fairy Godmother and want to make sure you have great success. Here are a few easy steps to follow.....

1. Plan ahead for your collection

Think about all of your affiliations where you might hold a dress collection; your workplace, church, service club, neighborhood, and/or among friends and family.

Decide on the dates you will hold your collection. One or two weeks in length works best.

Contact the Foundation office at 360.313.4730 and let us know you are planning to do a collection for the project. We have lots of materials that will help your campaign. Customized posters, DVD, email blasts and newsletter inserts are available. Depending on availability, we may be able to provide you with a garment rack, signage and even "seed" dresses.

Establish the space you will keep the gowns and accessories that people bring in during the collection. Choose a location with high visibility and/or heavy foot traffic.

If appropriate, set a goal for the number of gowns you want to collect and a reward for the group if they make it. (example: Collect 25 gowns and you’ll buy doughnuts for everyone. Collect 50 gowns and the branch manager wears a prom dress to work).

2. Spread the word

Since this will be an in-house collection, only those people you tell will know of your drive. Be sure to include the dates, times and specific location they are to bring their gowns and other prom-related items. Tell everyone at your office, church, club or other affiliation.

3. Receiving donations

Include the Donation Guidelines so your potential donors know what types of items we need.

The gowns and other items you collect are donated to Operation Fairy Godmother and become the property of the Vancouver School District Foundation. If a donor requests an EXCHANGE COUPON for a gown, do not accept the dress. Exchange Coupons are issued ONLY at the participating high schools during their collection week(s). Refer them to the school where their daughter attends. See the list of the 2010 participating schools and contact info.

The Vancouver School District Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. Accordingly, all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. We will provide you with receipts for your donors. You will have to sign the receipt proving the donation was made but it is up to the donor to declare the value of their donation.

4. Delivery of donations

Please contact jan.redding@vansd.org or call the Foundation office to coordinate delivery of the donations.

5. Help us GRANT A WISH

Many people have no dress to donate but still want to contribute to the project. Financial contributions are accepted. Just $10 puts a dress in the hands of a local Cinderella. Grant A Wish is an option for you to involve those that don't have a dress hanging in their closet.

Monetary contribution forms are provided for Grant a Wish. The donor completes the requested information and you safeguard their contribution until the end of your collection. "I Granted a Wish" die-cut dresses are available to recognize the donor and display in your collection area.

If you would prefer not to collect money on site, we can provide you with the Grant A Wish donation forms to distribute and contributions can be mailed directly to the Foundation office.

6. Know you are making a difference

For many girls' families, buying a dress for the prom is so far out of reach it would take a fairy godmother to make it happen. That's where you come in! Because of your effort in organizing a dress collection at your work place, church or other affiliation, you are helping ensure that every girl in the southwest Washington area has the opportunity to attend her high school prom looking her best!


Thank you for your time, talent and taffeta!