FORT MYERS, Fla., (June 30, 2021) – Pace Center for Girls, Lee County is bringing back its popular fundraising event, Love That Dress! with a new twist. This year, the event will be three fun-filled days of shopping Thursday, Aug. 19 through Saturday, Aug. 21 at Embassy Suites by Hilton in Estero.
Described as the ultimate feel-good shopping spree of the year, Love That Dress! features shopping and silent auctions with all proceeds benefiting Pace programs and services. This year, Love That Dress! will feature a collection of 9,000 high-quality, brand-new boutique and gently used dresses, shoes, handbags, and accessories sold at deeply discounted prices to attendees of Love That Dress! Inventory will be continuously restocked throughout the shopping event.
“We are excited to introduce this popular event in a new three-day format, where fashionistas and bargain hunters can shop while honoring the female spirit,” said Jennifer Nelson, chair of the 2021 Love That Dress! event. “This year, with an unprecedented outpouring of community support, we’re excited to reveal our largest and most glamourous selection of gently loved and brand-new fashion pieces.”
The shopping extravaganza will kick off Thursday, Aug. 19, with the Love That Dress! VIP Shopping event from 6 to 9 p.m. at Embassy Suites by Hilton, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive in Estero. VIP shoppers will enjoy a suite and be the first to shop with exclusive access to private dressing areas, express checkout, and complimentary beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts.
General admission runs from Friday, Aug. 20 through Saturday, Aug. 21, and guests can schedule a one-hour time slot for up to 15 guests. Shoppers can register online to shop a wide selection of dresses, shoes, handbags, and accessories. General admission time slots are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“We are so thankful to the Southwest Florida community for generously supporting the 13th annual Love That Dress! event, and the Pace Center for Girls of Lee County mission,” said Amy McQuagge, co-chair of 2021 Love That Dress! Event. “This event helps raise critical funds that directly support strength-based, gender-specific programs that guide Pace girls in finding their voice, achieving their potential, and becoming strong, productive, and contributing members of society.”
Proceeds from Love That Dress! provide academic programs and counseling services to girls and young women ages 11 to 18 who are working to overcome risk factors such as poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, foster home placement, neglect, grief, incarceration of a family member, mental health, and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
General admission ticket sales begin July 1 at $30 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available, including the presenting sponsor at $10,000, designer sponsor at $5,000, and VIP suite sponsors at $1,500.
To register and learn more about the event and sponsorships, visit LoveThatDressLeeCounty.com or call 239-425-2366.
Volunteers are also needed throughout the summer to sort and tag inventory as well as to support the main event in August. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Cosden at Jessica.Cosden@pacecenter.org.
About Pace Center for Girls, Lee County
Since 2007, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has been providing girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The gender-specific, strength-based program is one of 21 Centers throughout Florida, and is known throughout the nation as a best practices model for diverting girls from the juvenile justice system. Pace is a registered not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of individuals, businesses, civic/community organizations and churches in Lee County in order to serve girls and their families. Since its inception, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has served more than 650 at-promise girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, Lee County, call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.
