Kids Helping Kids Holding Dress Drive for Stamford Girls

On April 10, hundreds of Stamford girls will have the opportunity to “say yes to the dress” at Kids Helping Kids’ annual Handled With Care Dress Boutique.

And to get to ‘saying yes to the dress, Stamford-based Kids Helping Kids is collecting gently used or new prom, bar/bat mitzvah, homecoming, bridesmaid attire, and evening wear for middle and high school girls. Kids Helping Kids also is collecting accessories such as bags and jewelry to complement the formalwear.

Donations are being accepted until April 9 at these drop-off locations: Salon Kiklo at 126 Main St., New Canaan; Vanity Studio at 225 Atlantic St., Stamford, and The Italian Center at 1620 Newfield Ave., Stamford.

The Handled With Care event will be held on Friday, April 10 at the Boys & Girls Club, 347 Stillwater Ave. , Stamford, from 6 to 9 p.m. Local girls will have the opportunity to browse through racks of dresses, try on their favorites, and select their special dress.

This year Kids Helping Kids also will have makeup artists to assist the girls. Photographers will be available to capture each girl’s expression the moment she tries on her dream dress, giving the atmosphere a true runway feel, according to Kids Helping Kids.

KHK Founder and 2015 Newtown Act of Kindness Award recipient Lexi Kelley, 18, said in a statement, “Last year we served nearly 200 girls and this year the turnout is expected to be even more. It’s really exceptional that so many people throughout the community were willing to donate, giving the girls the opportunity to feel unique and beautiful.”

This year, Kids Helping Kids hopes to pass on the spirit of giving back to the community. Girls that attend the event will be asked to write down something small that they, in turn, will do for others.

“It’s one thing to do something nice for someone else, and it’s another thing to start a chain effect of kindness,” Kelley said. “This way, both the giver and the recipient of kindness feel empowered.”

To find out more, visit http://www.KidsHelpingKidsCT.org or email Info@KidsHelpingKidsCT.org.