Holly Ryan helps dreams come true. In an adorable storefront in downtown Centralia, customers are surrounded by fancy dresses, gowns, formals, and accessories that are available for free to Lewis County high school students to wear to their special events. Twirl Foundation is a nonprofit organization that, over the past four years, has given away 6,223 gowns, which doesn’t count all the ones before the tally began. “Many families are in peril and don’t want their children to miss these special moments of their school years. There just isn’t money,” says Holly.
Access to No-Cost Formal Wear
“We are grateful we get to do this,” adds Holly. The shop is stocked with 300 or so dresses (all laundered), both long and short, in sizes from very small to extra-large. Students will find dress shirts, slacks, and vests along with a colorful assortment of ties and bow ties. There are even shoes and other accessories. Shoppers get to browse and then try on their choices in one of the five dressing rooms. When the selection is made, the goods are wrapped and bagged to be taken home. There are no forms to fill out or criteria to meet. “The clothes do not have to be returned,” explains Holly. “You can keep it, wear it again, pass it along, or sell it.”
When Holly relates stories of the youth who are properly fitted for their upcoming event, her eyes get a bit misty. For someone who really wanted to look great but had no way to accomplish that, or for someone who had ill-fitting formal wear or cast-offs, the transformation is profound. Holly can see it in the person’s stance and bearing, and many are filled with a new sense of self-worth and possibility. It’s powerful to have a Cinderella or Prince moment.
Gearing up for Mobile Formal Wear
“We get so many requests for mobile service,” explains Holly. She has been connecting with three rural high schools in Morton, White Pass and Packwood. Twirl is raising money to bring 200 dresses, shirts, ties and pants on rolling, collapsible racks for an event near these schools. She estimates that $3800 of inventory and around 400 personal care kits will go a long way for these students. Twirl Foundation needs funds for these services.
Twirl Foundation’s Personal Care Kits
Twirl Foundation also makes and distributes personal care kits. This sprang from the need of youth who were obviously lacking basic things such as soap. Kits include toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, hair products from shampoo to gel, laundry soap, body soap, lip balm, face sponges, cosmetics, tweezers, combs and brushes. Again, it is possible that some of these items could be used, but they need to be clean. Generally, new, sealed items are preferred. Sometimes Holly takes a large bottle and refills others’ containers.
Events to Support Twirl Foundation
The Vintage Flea offers browsers the chance to discover treasures in vintage apparel, antiques, upcycled items, urban farmhouse and much more. The venue is the Lewis & Clark Hotel at 117 W. Magnolia in Centralia. All of the $5 admission goes to the Twirl Foundation. The fun is on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. Doors open at 10 a.m. both days and close at 6 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Humble Cow Ice Cream: Pints with a Purpose
Until March 20, when you buy a pint of ice cream, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to Twirl Foundation. Humble Cow has two locations: 4528 Maple Lane SE, Suite 104, in Olympia, and at 2480 Marvin Road NE, Suite A in Lacey.
Visit the Bordello Museum in Downtown Centralia
Across the street from Twirl Foundation is Holly’s vintage and antique store called The Shady Lady. Upstairs, in addition to all the clothing, shoppers can take a trip to the past in the Bordello Museum. For a mere $5 (all goes to the Twirl Foundation), visitors can stroll down a hallway filled with memorabilia, photographs, and antiques, and rooms that recall the early history of Centralia. It’s worth every penny.
Used Athletic Shoes Get Recycled
Drop off your sneakers and athletic shoes at The Shady Lady. They are recycled/reused and kept out of landfills. A dividend is paid to the Twirl Foundation.
Ways to Donate
Search your closets for gently worn prom dresses, costume jewelry and evening bags. Men’s dress shirts, vests, ties and shoes are welcome, too. Pick up a few extra personal care items on your next shopping trip and include those, also. Twirl Foundation can also take monetary contributions. This pays the rent for the storefront and for augmenting the inventory.
Twirl Foundation happily accepts gowns and formal wear. It is important to remember that they need to be in good shape and ready to wear. That means no stains, broken zippers or rips. The foundation also accepts formal wear shoes, and the same applies. The overall condition is good with inserts that are new or neat. Just because a person is receiving something at no cost to them, it does not mean items can be carelessly given. A good measure is to ask yourself, “Would I be happy to wear this?”
Did you imagine that the dress in your closet that you’ll probably never wear again would make a high schooler quite thrilled? You can help dreams come true, too.
Twirl Foundation
Monday – Saturday 12 to 5 p.m.
211 N. Tower, Centralia
360.736.4333
The Shady Lady
216 N. Tower, Centralia
