Girl Meets Dress set to begin August 13

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Trevor Rhynes
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The 22nd Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center is scheduled to launch a new program, Girl Meets Dress, beginning Aug. 13, here.

The program allows spouses and dependents to check out dresses for events that happen across Team McConnell on a first come, first served basis. The types and sizes available for use will depend on what is donated by the public.

"I noticed in the news that there was a program that would provide dresses for teenagers in high school, so I thought it would be neat to provide a service like that for the spouses of McConnell Airmen," said Chryzelle Cabrillas-Harris, 22nd FSS community readiness specialist. "It also provides people options for the variety of formal events that go on."

Donations are accepted throughout the year, as long as the dresses are in good condition. Dresses can be dropped off at the A&FRC and the Airman's Attic.

"Initially this started as a summer donation program for dresses and since that was so successful we thought we'd expand," Cabrillas-Harris said. "We're keeping the dresses at the Airman's Attic and depending on the success of this program; we may be able to get more space so we can accept more items like accessories and shoes."

The program is opening up just weeks before the next Airman Leadership School graduation and the Air Force Ball, giving women an opportunity to check out a dress before these events.

"Dresses can be rented out up to a month before an event and must be returned up to two weeks after the event dry cleaned," Cabrillas-Harris added. "Customers also have to sign an agreement form before checking out a dress. If the dress is returned in poor condition or unsalvageable, then it will be handled on a case-by-case basis."

Identifying damages to dresses is done on their return. If an individual doesn't return an item on time staff will call and remind them to turn the item in, cleaned and in good condition.

For more information about Girl Meets Dress, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (316) 759-6020.