Permanent Storage - Formally Yours
Donation protected
My name is Samantha Harrison. I started up a new initiative last year called The Fairy Godmother Project in the Ipswich area. It was hugely successful. I have renamed to Formally Yours and trying to start again but desperately need some help.
https://www.facebook.com/FormallyYour/
Basically, I collect donated formal wear and items, clean, repair and donate ENTIRELY back to students that would otherwise be unable to afford to attend.
The shop that was generously donated to me was closed down with 2 days notice and everything packed and stored without my knowledge. I have no idea where anything is but have been assured it is safe and can be returned to me. Unfortunately, however, due to me not having the contacts needed and edging seriously close to formal season I am unable to help anyone.
I have been unable to find any suitable shop space and an now trying to tackle one problem at a time. I have had it suggested to me to raise funds to purchase a shipping container. They are reasonably priced, safe, vermin and water proof and is ours permanently. I have secured a property that has been donated to store it for us and a welder offering his services to outfit any hanging space etc we may need.
I have made enquiries into the container and can have one delivered to the property for a total of $2480. If we can at least get everything we have together then we only have to concentrate n finding a space for 8 or 6 weeks at formal time then pack it all safely until the next year. We need to get this organised as soon as possible so we can try and organise a collection area for the students.
I have now collected over 1000 gowns for prospective students. 300 suits, 250 pairs of shoes. Ties, waistcoats, dress shirts, jewellery, clutch bags and nearly anything else you can think of to relate to formals. I have also gained numerous volunteers for services such as nails, hair, photos, corsages and even transport. The list gets longer every day.
Unfortunately, due to not having a stable location, we are unable to assist any students. Everything is at a standstill atm not having any space. We are on Facebook and I am unable to complete the website also. My home is filled to the brim with boxes, dresses etc and numerous homes, offices, garages etc across Ipswich are storing items for us.
We had a fantastic response last year with over 100 students obtaining our assistance. We would love to expand to offer this assistance to anyone in need. We even had a young lady that was holidaying with her grandparents last year from Gympie come and pick a dress. ALL items are donated to me. I inspect, repair (if need) clean and tag them. Same with suits, ties and all shoes. The shoes are scrubbed and cleaned then tagged. I then donate completely to students unable to afford to attend their formal. Any funds needed are currently coming out of my own pocket and I am on a disability pension so it is becoming a struggle but desperately see this as a need to be filled.
My vision is to try and encourage as many students to complete year 12. Along with this comes a feeling of accomplishment, self esteem, self worth, achievement. The feeling that they are equal to everyone else. They did the 13 years of schooling required just as much as any other child so they should feel that they can be included in the celebration of closing their school career as much as the students that are more financially blessed to not have this issue. If we can get just one student to stick with their schooling even just to attend formal, it means they have avoided step one of a problem that comes up later if they don't have their certificate. They won't have to attend a course etc to obtain it which in turn takes up valuable time and can deflate alot of students enthusiasm. Hopefully looking at a long term effect, keeping them in school can help with all strains of issues. Maybe if the kids feel they have support and backup for parts of their life they thought was unreachable, they might think and feel that they have the strength to push forward and be more successful.
Please consider helping the students achieve this goal. They deserve this as much as anyone else and deserve to celebrate. I have also teamed up with a charity that supplies work clothes to students after leaving work so any items not suitable for formal wear goes directly to them.
This is the link for the new Formally Yours Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FormallyYour/
What pictures of last years students I was able to save are included in this page.
Regards,
Sam Harrison.
Formally Yours.
https://www.facebook.com/FormallyYour/
Basically, I collect donated formal wear and items, clean, repair and donate ENTIRELY back to students that would otherwise be unable to afford to attend.
The shop that was generously donated to me was closed down with 2 days notice and everything packed and stored without my knowledge. I have no idea where anything is but have been assured it is safe and can be returned to me. Unfortunately, however, due to me not having the contacts needed and edging seriously close to formal season I am unable to help anyone.
I have been unable to find any suitable shop space and an now trying to tackle one problem at a time. I have had it suggested to me to raise funds to purchase a shipping container. They are reasonably priced, safe, vermin and water proof and is ours permanently. I have secured a property that has been donated to store it for us and a welder offering his services to outfit any hanging space etc we may need.
I have made enquiries into the container and can have one delivered to the property for a total of $2480. If we can at least get everything we have together then we only have to concentrate n finding a space for 8 or 6 weeks at formal time then pack it all safely until the next year. We need to get this organised as soon as possible so we can try and organise a collection area for the students.
I have now collected over 1000 gowns for prospective students. 300 suits, 250 pairs of shoes. Ties, waistcoats, dress shirts, jewellery, clutch bags and nearly anything else you can think of to relate to formals. I have also gained numerous volunteers for services such as nails, hair, photos, corsages and even transport. The list gets longer every day.
Unfortunately, due to not having a stable location, we are unable to assist any students. Everything is at a standstill atm not having any space. We are on Facebook and I am unable to complete the website also. My home is filled to the brim with boxes, dresses etc and numerous homes, offices, garages etc across Ipswich are storing items for us.
We had a fantastic response last year with over 100 students obtaining our assistance. We would love to expand to offer this assistance to anyone in need. We even had a young lady that was holidaying with her grandparents last year from Gympie come and pick a dress. ALL items are donated to me. I inspect, repair (if need) clean and tag them. Same with suits, ties and all shoes. The shoes are scrubbed and cleaned then tagged. I then donate completely to students unable to afford to attend their formal. Any funds needed are currently coming out of my own pocket and I am on a disability pension so it is becoming a struggle but desperately see this as a need to be filled.
My vision is to try and encourage as many students to complete year 12. Along with this comes a feeling of accomplishment, self esteem, self worth, achievement. The feeling that they are equal to everyone else. They did the 13 years of schooling required just as much as any other child so they should feel that they can be included in the celebration of closing their school career as much as the students that are more financially blessed to not have this issue. If we can get just one student to stick with their schooling even just to attend formal, it means they have avoided step one of a problem that comes up later if they don't have their certificate. They won't have to attend a course etc to obtain it which in turn takes up valuable time and can deflate alot of students enthusiasm. Hopefully looking at a long term effect, keeping them in school can help with all strains of issues. Maybe if the kids feel they have support and backup for parts of their life they thought was unreachable, they might think and feel that they have the strength to push forward and be more successful.
Please consider helping the students achieve this goal. They deserve this as much as anyone else and deserve to celebrate. I have also teamed up with a charity that supplies work clothes to students after leaving work so any items not suitable for formal wear goes directly to them.
This is the link for the new Formally Yours Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FormallyYour/
What pictures of last years students I was able to save are included in this page.
Regards,
Sam Harrison.
Formally Yours.
Organizer
Sam Harrison
Organizer
Collingwood Park QLD
