Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Southeast student organizations host dress sale for Safe House for Women

Friday, January 27, 2017

Dresses from all over the area are being brought together on Saturday to be sold in the fourth annual Fancy That! dress sale hosted by Southeast Serves and service sorority Gamma Sigma Sigma.

Fancy That! will be on Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University Center of Southeast Missouri State University third floor lobby to raise money for the Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau.

“We basically collect dresses and sell them for low rates,” said Joanna Shaver, adviser for Gamma Sigma Sigma and the coordinator for campus programming.

Shaver said they accept all kinds of dresses year round, but mainly aim to collect formal wear. Long dresses are sold for $25 and shorter dresses for $15, and they can be bought with cash or a check.

All the proceeds go directly to the Safe House for Women.

This year, more than 50 dresses have been donated to the event, as well as several that have been stored from last year’s event that were not purchased. Those wishing to donate dresses can drop them off at Shaver’s office in UC 414.

“The sale is open to college students, community members, really anybody,” Shaver said.

Shaver also sent out 25 vouchers to local high schools and the safe house for underprivileged women who may be in need of a dress. The voucher allows the woman to pick out any dress of her choice for free. Counselors receive the vouchers and are asked to pass them out to students from low-income families who may be in need of formal wear.

International students also provided a large crowd for the event in past years due to the International Student Association’s prom that is put on every spring. Woman gather at the event in hopes of finding a dress for the special night.

Dresses can be found for all occasions from Sunday wear to wedding attire.

“We have helped people find bridesmaid dresses,” Shaver said. “They appreciate the fact that they have an extra place to go to check out dresses and not have to spend a fortune.”

Members of the Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority will be working at the event to help women find dresses and collect money.

All remaining dresses after the sale are packed up and stored in the bookstore for the sale next year.

For more information about the Safe House for Women, go to www.semosafehouse.org.

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