MW Cleaners accepting donations of prom gowns, accessories

Fort Bend County area MW Cleaners are serving as drop-off sites for this year’s MW Cares Prom Dress Drive, benefiting the Giving Gown Foundation.

MWC leaners throughout greater Houston are accepting donations of prom dresses and accessories through the end of March.

Local MWC leaners are located at 4675 Texas 6 in Sugar Land and 2201 S. Mason Road; 2711 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Suite 1600; and 2731 FM 1463, Suite 100, in Katy. Visit www. mwcleaners.com for store hours.

MW Cleaners will clean donated dresses for free and deliver them to the foundation, a nonprofit community service organization that collects donations of new and like-new formal gowns and accessories and provides them free to high school girls who would otherwise be unable to afford to go to prom.

This is the second year MW Cleaners has held the donation drive to benefit the Giving Gown Foundation. Last year, nearly 500 gowns were donated.

Because donations kept coming in, Mike Nesbit, president of MW Cleaners, decided to accept gowns all year long and collected and cleaned an additional 840 gowns.

These gowns — along with the gowns that will be collected during the current drive — will be donated to the Giving Gown Foundation, which will provide prom dresses and accessories to area high school girls during Boutique Days April 7-9.

During the three-day event, each girl will be greeted with a personal shopper and choose a prom gown, shoes and accessories, have their gown altered on-site, attend a self-esteem seminar, have a boutique lunch and take home a swag bag containing hygiene and beauty products.

During last year’s Boutique Days, 1,223 girls were served by 400 volunteers. For this year’s event, all 1,500 registration slots were filled in a matter of days, according to the Giving Gown organization.

“These young ladies are being taught that, in this world, there are people that care, that there are people who love you and want to help you move forward,” Nesbit said. “Boutique Day not only is a great representation of that, but it also teaches them about self-esteem. We want to be part of that investment into these young ladies’ future.”

Formal wear is important but so are matching accessories such as handbags, jewelry, formal shoes, wraps and other items, said Cassie Miller, co-director of the Giving Gown Foundation, in a news release.

“One of my favorite things about Boutique Day is the transformation that we see in our princesses,” Miller said. “When they arrive, they are often quiet and reserved, but they leave bursting with joy. Throughout their time with us, they are shown unconditional love and kindness. We uplift them and teach them that they are beautiful and special just as they are.”

While all gown donations are appreciated, Miller said the greatest needs are for gowns in sizes 1636. Members of the public wishing to donate gowns and accessories may bring them to any of the company’s 37 Houston-area locations.

To learn more, visit www.givinggown.org, email contact@givinggown.org or call 713-3047725.