FORT MYERS, Fla., (Aug. 27, 2019) – More than 400 fashionistas and community supporters recently came together for the 11th annual Love That Dress! event on Aug. 21, raising more than $150,000 in support of Pace Center for Girls, Lee County.
The ultimate feel-good shopping spree of the year, Love That Dress! featured shopping, music, silent auctions and cocktails at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Estero, where more than 3,000 dresses were available for purchase at deeply discounted prices.
“Love That Dress! gets bigger and better every year, providing our generous community a fun-filled opportunity to honor the female spirit while shopping for a cause,” said Event Chair Jennifer Pfenninger. “Beyond the fun and fashion of Love That Dress! is the critical need that the event helps fulfill by supporting programs that guide girls and young women in celebrating a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace. It’s truly the ultimate feel-good shopping spree!”
Celebrating 11 years of the community’s obsession with fashion and giving, the annual Love That Dress! campaign solicits donations of new and gently loved dresses, handbags, shoes and accessories. A series of collection events helped build an expansive inventory of fashion-forward apparel, thanks to the generosity of local businesses and community donors.
Proceeds from Love That Dress! support Pace Center for Girls, which provides academic programs and counseling services to girls and young women ages 11 to 18 who are working to overcome risk factors such as poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, foster home placement, neglect, grief, incarceration of a family member and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
“Funds raised through Love That Dress! provide life-changing education, counseling, training and advocacy that help our girls overcome their respective challenges to become strong young women and productive, contributing members of society,” said Meg M. Geltner, executive director of Pace Center for Girls, Lee County. “We’re thankful for all who came out to this year’s Love That Dress!, joining our efforts to empower Pace girls in finding their voice and achieving their full potential.”
In addition, this year’s event offered the opportunity to win a 24-month lease on a new 2019 INFINITI QX50 SUV, with a drawing held during the Love That Dress! event. The lease was awarded to Kathleen McClanahan.
Sponsors for Love That Dress! include 96.9 WINK FM, A. Jaron Fine Jewelry, ABC-7, Arias Law Firm, Associates in Dermatology, Atilus, Boost Creative, Breaking Bread Company, California Closets, Caloosa Tent & Rental, Chico’s FAS, Dr. Garramone Plastic Surgery, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Fort Myers INFINITI, Get Efficient, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Gulfshore Life, House of Wu, IBERIABANK, Image Matters, Jason’s Deli of Southwest Florida, Kelly Fayer Law Firm, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LAMAR Advertising, The Laser Lounge Spa, Lightning Wireless Solutions, Living Local, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A., MidGuard/Cube Smart, Miromar Outlets, Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar, New Beginnings Events, The News-Press Media Group, Nu Image Dry Cleaners, Prawnbroker Restaurant Group, Priority Marketing, Priority Payment Systems South Florida, Red Door Photography, Seminole Casino Hotel, Signs Now, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, St. Charles Yacht Club, Stilwell Enterprises, TIAA Bank, Uncommon Friends Foundation and Unfiltered Unfined Wines.
To learn more about Pace Center for Girls, Lee County and its programs, please visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee or call 239-425-2366.
About Pace Center for Girls, Lee County
Since 2007, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has been providing girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The gender-specific, strength-based program is one of 22 Centers throughout Florida, and is known throughout the nation as a best practices model for diverting girls from the juvenile justice system. Pace is a registered not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of individuals, businesses, civic/community organizations and churches in Lee County in order to serve girls and their families. Since its inception, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has served more than 650 at-promise girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, Lee County, call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.
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