Flyers were sent to more than 20 high schools; advertisements were placed in the newspaper; and, the event was promoted on social networks so as to reach high school girls looking for prom gowns. On the day of the prom gown giveaway event, 65 prom gown seekers visited the Foss Mansion and 55 of them found a gown or dress to wear to the prom. All 55 gowns were given away for free.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Foss Mansion, WLU will hold a “Pay it Forward” tea and tour at which admission is a cleaned, gently used or new prom gown or $5 at the door. This gives the girls who received a prom gown for free an opportunity to pay it forward by returning that gown so that someone else can wear it at next year’s prom.
“There is no obligation to return the gown received, but by doing so, gowns are being recycled, money is being saved, and the community benefits by these acts of generosity,” said Denise Scammon, WLU member.
The Foss Mansion is at 19 Elm St. Prom and wedding gowns will be accepted at the door, as well as prom accessories, or $5. Drop off begins at 2 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a guided tour of the Foss Mansion followed by a tea buffet. Volunteers are needed to help at this event. For more information, call 207-753-0931 or visit www.womansliteraryunion.org/blog.
WLU is organized and operated to further the intellectual, cultural and educational advancement of its members and the community.
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- Prom and wedding gowns will be accepted as admission donations at WLU’s Pay it Forward Tea event.
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- At 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Foss Mansion, 19 Elm St. in Auburn, WLU will hold a “Pay it Forward” Tea at which admission is a cleaned, gently used or new prom or wedding gown or $5 at the door. The tea will be followed by a guided tour of the historic mansioin which was built between 1914-1917 by shoe industry magnate Horatio G. Foss and his wife Ella, who bequeathed the mansion to WLU upon her death in 1941. Pocket doors close off the dining room from the central hall when needed. The doors on the dining room side are oak and on the central hall side are mahogany. The wallpaper is original to the house. Here is a glimpse of the magnificent flying staircase.
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