Granting Wishes One Dress at a Time

It wasn't long ago that Stacy Senechalle and Ursula Guyer ditched their corporate jobs and dove head-first into fashion, with the opening of their store WhiteChicago. Five years later they're not only successful business owners, they're also responsible for raising more than $700,000 for breast cancer patients.

Each year, WhiteChicago receives thousands of women hoping to sell their wedding dress. Unfortunately, not all the dresses sell; looking for a way to dispose of the extra dresses, the women at WhiteChicago turned to charity.

"It's all about people giving back, and a lot of times the dress just sits in a closet, and nobody sees it anymore," Ms. Senechalle says. "So why not pass on the love?"

The 'love' is passed right along to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to terminally ill breast cancer patients. Brides can donate their dress to Making Memories 'Brides Against Breast Cancer' program, where their dresses will be sold in the Nationwide Tour of Gowns. Traveling to different cities across the U.S., BABC sells new and gently used designer gowns at heavily discounted prices. It's at this event that brides can find their dream dress while also helping dreams come true.

Ms. Senechalle, who also donates her time at the Tour of Gowns Chicago event, acts as a liaison between the brides and BABC. Throughout March, WhiteChicago will be collecting gowns for their fifth annual Dress Drive.

"The Making Memories Foundation will actually pick up our dresses so the brides don't have to pay for shipping," says Ms. Senechalle. "They can just drop them off here and then the dresses will first be sold at the Chicago event before moving to the next city."

WhiteChicago has been collecting gowns from brides each year for the last four years. With a total of 250 gowns under their belt, Ms. Senechalle has high hopes for their contribution this year.

"I'm hoping this year we will hit that million dollar mark, or come close to it." Ms. Senechalle says. "Our average dress costs around $2,000, so these brides that are buying at the Tour of Gowns are getting a huge savings and they can find the gown of their dreams at the same time they help grant wishes. That's a huge reward in itself!"

Ms. Senchelle says she looks forward to volunteering at the Chicago event each year.

"I have actually been able to witness brides falling in love with a gown that we have donated," she says, "which is fun to see!"

All dresses can be dropped at the WhiteChicago store (222 West Huron Street). Dresses donated will be sold at the BABC Chicago event April 15-17. Call 312.397.1571 or visit www.whitechicago.com for more information.