The Brides’ Project is a non-profit organization founded by Helen Sweet in 2004 that offers up to 500 donated dresses at affordable prices with the proceeds go towards cancer care and research.
“We accept donated gowns from brides and salons, and new brides come here and they find the dress of their dreams and all the profits from the organization go to cancer charities,” said Sweet.
Wellspring Cancer Support Network is one of the many organizations the Brides’ Project supports.
“They’ve been donors since 2010, and they’ve just recently given us a $75,000 donation for our wellness lounge,” said CEO of Wellspring Christina Smith.
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Wellspring is a place where cancer patients can go to relax and feel cared for outside of the hospitals and away from the doctors.
Bride to be Shannon Patterson is happy to have purchased her wedding gown at this unique bridal shop.
“It just seemed perfect with my story. My mother was recently diagnosed with cancer and she beat it,” said Patterson. “I just wanted to give back and honour my mom through wearing a dress.”
The Brides’ Project has a team of 20 volunteers which have become the backbone of the organization, providing each bride with what she needs for a beautiful wedding day.
Aside from volunteering, people can support the Brides’ Project with donating or purchasing a gown. These are fairly priced at approximately half the retail value and range between $250 to $1250.
Brides even leave hand written notes in their gowns giving brides to be some warm well wishes. And this tradition is often passed along through different brides.
“Even though I don’t know a lot about her she just wished me the best on my wedding day,” said Patterson. “I won’t feel like I just bought a dress to buy a dress, I’ll feel somehow, some way, it’s making a difference.”
Visit the Brides’ Project.
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