Sorority members make high school dreams come true

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Panhellenic Association will host its annual “Dream Dress” event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, in the On Wisconsin Room of the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St.

The Dream Dress project is a community service event conducted by sorority members to provide Madison-area high school students with free formal dresses for use at school dances and proms. High schools invited to participate include Madison East, Madison West, Madison Memorial and LaFollette High School.

The group collects gently used formal dresses, shoes and accessories from sorority members and sets them up in a “store” in the Red Gym, allowing high school students to browse as if they were in a dress boutique.

Women of the Panhellenic sororities have also collected makeup, coupons for things such as dry cleaning and other items for goody bags that each high school student will receive with her dress. Dresses also can be steamed by volunteers.

“This project means so much because it is women helping other women,” says Shannon McChesney, Panhellenic Association community service chair. “We all know how exciting but financially taxing events like prom can be. Dream Dress strives to allow girls of all backgrounds to attend dances looking fabulous, without any sort of financial dilemma.”

The Panhellenic Association will also provide refreshments and entertainment to the young women and their parents throughout the event. The men’s a capella group The Madhatters will be on hand from noon-12:20 p.m.

Project Dream Dress is the final community service event of the semester for the Panhellenic Association, the governing body for the 11 national Panhellenic social sororities on campus.

“Dream Dress is one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve had being Greek,” says Ellie Wilson, Panhellenic Association administrative coordinator. “It is incredibly satisfying knowing we contribute to making lasting, happy memories for the high school women of Madison.”