Birchwood Mall store hosting formal clothing giveaway for teens
A local business owner wants to ensure teenagers returning to school this year will be able to make special memories during future dances.
Mostly Michigan Moments and Merch will be hosting a formal clothing giveaway in the Birchwood Mall over Labor Day weekend.
In addition to the clothing, people will be able to enter into raffles for free dinners, photo sessions and hair appointments for future dances. The giveaway will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 3 and noon to 6 p.m. on September 4. Chellee Matthews, owner of Mostly Michigan Merch and More, said she created the event to give back the community.
“I just wanted to help ease the tension on families because everything is so expensive, and to come up with the cost of a dress or suit is sometimes insane,” Matthews said.
There is no income requirement to participate in the event.
She has received more than 300 dresses and 150 suits donated from the community. Joy’s Bridal Boutique also donated 20 dresses. Sizes ranging from 00 to size 24 are available at the giveaway. Cash donations will be given out to those who are unable to find their size.
“If we can’t accommodate something that they would need then that money has been donated to go towards that,” Matthews said.
Matthews said was worried she would not have room in her store to hold all of the clothing. Birchwood Mall has given her access to the old CJ Banks storefront to use for the giveaway.
Matthews said she also noticed how the past couple of years have not been kind to teenagers as many events were cancelled due to the pandemic. She said they deserve to make some good memories.
“Over these last years, these kids have lost all their dances and their memories,” Matthews said. “This year, they get to have them back, so they should get to enjoy it.”
Matthews wants to make the giveaway an annual event. She said she is excited to see people find their dream dance outfit. Additionally, she said she is proud to have received so much support from the community to do the giveaway.
“I am in awe and just amazed with the community,” Matthews said.
Matthews said she is still accepting gift card donations for the raffle until the day of the event. Businesses interested in donating gift cards can contact Mostly Michigan Merch and More at (810) 357-8250.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Formal attire giveaway to take place in Birchwood Mall
