return to Make A Difference > MIBS Around Town

Oct 2009  |  By Mibs  |  Comments

Northbrook Party Dress Boutique Raises More than $5,000

Two Northbrook moms' innovative idea of selling gently used party dresses to raise money for charity proved to be a great success with their first "boutique" event.

The first Party Dress Project boutique was held on Saturday, Sept. 26, in downtown Northbrook and raised more than $5,000 for Youth Services Glenview/Northbrook. Youth Services is devoted to the mental health, character development and physical well-being of children and families.

Prior to the event, Northbrook moms Stacy Simpson and Beth Hirshman, whose respective daughters, Harper and Rachel, inspired the project when they swapped dresses after their Bat Mitzvahs earlier this year, collected donations of gently worn dresses that had been worn to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, and proms. Each dress—more than 200 in total—was resold for $25.

At the boutique, girls shared in the excitement of trying on dresses and modeling for their friends. The event also featured a raffle for manicures, pedicures and other pre-party services, and snacks including dress-shaped cookies. 

To read Make It Better's original article on the Party Dress Project, click here.