Yes to the Dress: Operation Ball Gown Giveaway

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Martha Whipple
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS FORT WORTH JRB, Texas --  Military and civilian families are invited to Operation Ball Gown Giveaway and fashion show Sept. 17 at Navy Officers' Spouses Club here. Line begins forming around 5 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Any Cinderella going to the ball knows how expensive a formal dress can be. In a challenging economy with cinched family budgets, gown shopping is not at the top of the priority list, but there is a fairy godmother bringing hope.

The Joint Communications Circle, an informal group of family readiness directors and volunteers, is bringing hope by giving away dresses ranging from $50 to more than $500.

"A tough economy affects everyone's discretionary spending regardless of income level," said Dorien Miller, 301st Fighter Wing JCC volunteer. "When budgets are tight, essentials are priority - luxuries are not."

The JCC is bringing luxury to JRB families. They have been accepting dress donations of all sizes, colors, lengths and styles. Last year the operation gave away more than 150 dresses to JRB families, and the event organizers are hoping to exceed that number this year.

Operation Ball Gown Giveaway represents military families helping military families.

"The concept of military family means that we take care of each other," said Monica Greene, JCC volunteer. "Although the surface of this event is to give away free evening gowns to those ladies who want one, the underlying goal is to bring the military women together showing them the real sense of community here at NAS/JRB. With such a large and diverse military population in this area, no family should feel alone or unsupported. We are one family here."

Not only are JRB women recycling dresses to help JRB families, the local community is also lending a hand.

"The response from the civilian community has been tremendous," Miller said. "Our civilian friends and neighbors are eager to show their support for our military families by donating dresses."

The donated dresses will be modeled at the Operation Ball Gown Giveaway fashion show and given away. The selection process is a first-come-first-serve basis. Each attendee will be given a numbered ticket at the door. After the show, ticket holders will be able to try on dresses and make a selection.

For the third year in a row, Operation Ball Gown Giveaway is helping JRB families. This will be the first year that all military service branches will be represented. Operation Ball Gown Giveaway, a program that has been going on at Marine and Navy bases for years, is now making a difference here. Military families are paying it forward.

"Witnessing the strength, commitment and solidarity of our military families is what inspired me to get involved," said Miller, the wife of Brig. Gen. Bruce Miller, 301st Fighter Wing Commander. We should take every opportunity to say thank you to the wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and significant others who support our members. Operation Ball Gown Giveaway is a small way to express our appreciation."

Family Readiness representatives are accepting door prize donations and dresses. They also welcome volunteers to help with child care, event set-up, event and tear-down. This event also provides an opportunity for military family-owned or military-friendly businesses to advertise their services or products at tables set up at the event.

The JCC thanks all the people who have donated so far, "their support of the operation is essential and appreciated." This event also recognizes the hard work and sacrifices of the attendees. The ladies who leave the operation with a gown are the heroes, Miller said.

"The dress recipients are the unsung hero of the mission - the wife, the daughter, the mother, the girlfriend, who supports the warfighter during times of combat and peace," she said. "Operation Ball Gown Giveaway is a way of singing your praises and showing our appreciation."