Giving back to Katie Shirley's Closet
Last June, a tragic car accident shook the city of Rochester. Just days after their graduation from Fairport High School, five young girls lives were unexpectedly taken. A community was in mourning and the families of these girls experienced great grief. Through this horrific event, each family found peace in different ways.
Katie Shirley’s Closet is a foundation that was established by one of the families. Prom was a night that Katie enjoyed immensely. Inspired because of this, the idea of collecting lightly used prom dresses for charity was born. No longer would financial circumstances cause girls to miss their own prom. And the community has responded.
Alpha Kappa Phi sorority on SUNY Geneseo’s campus was doing their share this past week giving back to this very charity, collecting prom dresses in the college union to donate to Katie Shirley’s Closet.
Taking turns sitting in the union from noon to 4 p.m., the members of Alpha Kappa Phi were hopeful to get a response from campus in their efforts to gain as many prom dresses as possible. They knew they would definitely receive 20 to 25 from their own members, but this wasn’t enough to satisfy this group of girls. They wanted students on campus to be involved as well.
The idea to collect dresses for this charity originated from an alumni member from Fairport, NY. The current members at SUNY Geneseo, automatically took to this idea. This kind of charity was different. Although they have participated over the years in numerous charities and volunteer work, they liked Katie Shirley’s Closet because they could see the actual results from their hard work. Nearly 50 dresses were In their possession by the end of the week.
Rachel Laber is one of the publicity chairs for Alpha Kappa Phi sorority, she believes that the reason this is such an important charity to be involved in is because it is one that all members can relate to.
“You forget when you get older that prom is one of the biggest events in your life,” said Laber.
From experience and the memories that exist, an event that the members of this sorority loved so much created personal connections for all. It turned out to be a group effort by all members and the sorority appreciated all the dresses that came from students around campus.
“Surprisingly enough, people were digging down deep and bringing prom dresses to the union,” said Laber.
If your prom dresses are taking up space, visit www.katieshirleyscloset.com, and find out how you too can donate to a special foundation.
