By Sharon Mager
ASHTON, Md.—“Dressed in Love Ministries,” has an opportunity to recycle dresses and minister to high school girls. Dressed in Love is an outreach ministry of Ashton Baptist Church. Volunteers collect gently used clean gowns and provide them to high school girls attending junior and senior proms. This school year, volunteers are adding fall Homecoming Dance dresses to the giveaways.
Jennifer Williams, founder of the ministry, said providing dresses for Homecoming extends their ministry outreach, adding more freshman and sophomore girls to the mix.
In addition to the dresses, girls are treated to hair styling and manicures.
The girls are appreciative, Williams said.
“A lot of response comes from the moms. They know the amount they would have to pay for their daughters to go to the prom.” Some have been emotional, and they ask why it’s free, Williams said.
They’ve also helped girls coming from the foster care system, arriving with their social workers, and they too are appreciative.
“People aren’t surprised when a church has an event and charges, but for us to give the dresses away, it stops them and they want to know more. It’s a unique opportunity to witness, to show love and to meet a need,” Williams said.
Formal, semi-formal, cocktail, knee-length and shorter dresses are welcome. Having the dresses dry-cleaned before donating is preferred.
Donations can be dropped off at Ashton Baptist church from 9:30 am to 1 pm or email Dressed in Love Ministries for other collection locations or more information.