By Mary Owen
Stayton resident Anna Benefiel believes every girl deserves to go to her high school prom.
“Times are tough, and just being a teen is hard enough,” Benefiel said. “Every girl deserves to be a princess no matter what circumstances she and her family are facing.”
To help teens in her community, Benefiel started All Dressed Up, a nonprofit organization that collects dresses and accessories all year round and hosts an annual prom-dress giveaway in March at the Stayton Community Center.
“I came from a large family with a lot of strong women,” said Benefiel, wife of Roger and mother of Reagan, 7, and Charlie, 3. “I have four sisters and one brother, so prom was a very big thing and seen many times around our house!”
Benefiel is passionate about All Dressed Up, which offers girls a chance to feel special on their prom night.
“I feel that young women need to find confidence within themselves and what I do can help bring that out,” said Benefiel, a healthcare worker at Kaiser Permanente.
“I also hope that each teen’s life we touch could spark an interest in giving back. It’s very rewarding and life-changing!”
Saturday, Jan. 25, 5 p.m.
Stayton Community Center
No-host bar. Dinner by
Wooden Nickel Catering.The night will feature a
silent auction, live auction and
fashion show, showcasing many
donated prom dresses.Tickets , $25, must be purchased
in advance by calling 503-881-0711
or by e-mailing taby02@hotmail.com
or visiting All Dressed Up on Facebook.
Applications for a dress will be
available at the fundraiser as well
as on the All Dressed Up Facebook
page after the event.
More than 50 volunteers help year-round to raise funds and help at the giveaway, set up in boutique-store fashion with each dress sized and hung.
“There is an accessory table filled with jewelry, hair pieces and more,” she said. “We also occasionally have cosmetics and shoes to give away. To date we have given away close to 300 dresses.”
Benefiel’s best memory is of the very first dress All Dressed Up gave away.
“As she left the give-away, we all cheered and clapped,” she said of the first recipient. “She was smiling ear-to-ear. I knew in my heart something amazing had just taken place. I later found out that she became prom queen.”
Benefiel also loves seeing moms and daughters, sisters and friends that shop together.
throughout the area and makes girls feel special and confident
without breaking the bank at home.
“They smile and laugh,” she said. “I know we had a hand in making a memory they will never forget.”
At the last giveaway, people were asked to nominate local teens who make a difference in the lives of others. Five of the teens nominated were selected for “pre-entrance” to the event, receiving special attention from volunteers.
“We had an overwhelming response of amazing young women who volunteered from camps for youth with developmental challenges, standing up and speaking out about bullying and overcoming challenges in their own lives, and still give back to others,” Benefiel said.
“It was truly moving. Each teen was not only given a chance to be the first to choose from over 888 dresses, they also received a special piece of jewelry and a gift certificate to have their hair done for prom night as well as a gift certificate for dinner, all of which were donated.”
The girls’ smiles and joyful tears are the volunteers’ best thanks, Benefiel said. “Volunteering at just one giveaway has the power to change your life!”
Benefiel invites women to get involved by collecting new or gently-used dresses from co-workers, family and friends.
Drop-off sites include: Act I Hair Design and Santiam Cleaners in Stayton; Santiam Treasures in Mill City; Sugar & Spice Bakery in Lyons; and The Shabby Chic Bride, The Bridal Gallery, and The Big Funky Hair Salon in Salem.
Monetary donations can be made at any time to the All Dressed Up account at NW Preferred Credit Union in Stayton.
