Used Prom Dress Sale To Help Women In Malawi

By SUSAN MENDE

CANTON - Once proms and weddings are over, fancy dresses often end up collecting dust in the back of a closet, possibly never seeing the light of day again.

Not if Linda G. Potter of Canton has her way.

Ms. Potter plans to help women a world away in Malawi, Africa, by collecting gently-used prom gowns and formal dresses from girls and women in the north country.

The dresses will be resold at from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. March 27 at Canton's First Presbyterian Church, 17 Park St., with prices ranging from $20 to $50, depending on the condition. Dressing rooms and refreshments will be available.

Proceeds will help women in poverty-stricken Malawi, pay for acute needs like blankets, bedding, clothing, school fees medical fees and funeral fees.

"I thought this would be a neat women-to-women way to raise money," Ms. Potter said. "There's so many formal dresses hanging in the back of closets. It's silly not to give them a breath of fresh life."

Donations of gently-used dresses and gowns can be dropped off from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 18 at Canton Central School's high school auditorium, 99 State St.

They will also be accepted at the Kappa Delta Sigma Sorority, 53 Park St., from 4 to 6 p.m. March 19 and at the Canton Presbyterian Church from 9 a.m. to noon March 20.

Donations of prom accessories, except shoes, are also appreciated including shawls, gloves, purses and jewelry.

Ms. Potter hopes the fundraiser earns at least $1,000 for the Women of Grace Widows' Fund, which is a joint mission project of the Watertown and Canton First Presbyterian churches.

"The money will go for very basic needs," Ms. Potter said.

Malawi, considered one of the poorest countries in the world, is plagued by high rates of malaria, HIV, AIDS and malnutrition. An estimated 200 people die of AIDS there each day.

In July 2008, Ms. Potter was among a group of eight women, from the Watertown and Canton Presbyterian churches who traveled to Malawi, equipped with supplies to help women and children there.

A partnership continues between the two north country churches and two Malawi natives who manage the fund in their country, Grace Chiumia and Sam Chirwa.

This year, the Grace Widows' Fund has established a $12,600 budget.

Besides helping Malawi women with basic needs, this year fund plans to provide micro-loans for 50 widows totaling $3,600 and metal roofing for three houses at a cost of $2,100.

For more information about the dress sale call 386-4364 or 322-5669.