NYC School Student Volunteers to Assist with 2nd Annual Dresses for Little Dresses for Africa Project

    NEW YORK, NY, April 21, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What: 100 Dresses for Little Dresses for Africa is a community service event organized by Gwen Beloti Collection in support of not for profit organization Little Dresses for Africa (LDFA). LDFA provides relief to children throughout Africa and abroad by collecting and distributing clothing and other items for those who need them. To date LDFA has distributed millions of dresses, shorts, and other essentials.

100 Dresses for LDFA sponsored by Gwen Beloti Collection is a project that gathers volunteers in the NYC area to help make little dresses and shorts in a one day span. On one designated day volunteers collectively assist with the simple and basic production of the children's clothing.

The goal is to make as many pieces as possible and to help as many children as possible. Due to the amount of work involved in making over 100 items in just a matter of hours, preparation is vital. As such, this year Gwen Beloti Collection has teamed up with two NYC charter schools. Student volunteers from these schools will assist with preparing for the main event.

This May and June Gwen Beloti Collection will host a prep session at each school. Student volunteers will earn community service hours by assisting with organizing materials and cutting fabric. Students will also have the to opportunity to embellish their own little dress to send to a child in need.

Who: Womenswear brand Gwen Beloti Collection will collaborate with New Heights
Academy Charter School in Harlem, NY and Fahari Academy Charter School in Brooklyn. With the assistance of the students, community and volunteers from across the tri-state area who have an interest in giving back, fashion, or both, 100 plus clothing items will be produced for children in need of them.

How: Students will assist with prepping for the event at their respective schools on the day of the prep sessions. Student volunteers will be assigned to various stations with different tasks to complete. Collectively they will contribute to the jumpstart of the main event giving the volunteers on 6.25.16 a head start. This prep will result in the making or more clothing for more children, not otherwise possible without the work of the students.

All volunteers for both the prep and main event play an integral part in the success of the project.

Why: Gwen Beloti Collection founded in 2008 has collaborated with the founder of LDFA Rachel O'Neill on small projects over the years in support of the organization. This project specifically, 100 Dresses for LDFA, organized by Gwen Beloti is a result of a pledge Gwen made on Giving Tuesday the past two years. Giving Tuesday is recognized as the national day of service. In 2014-2015 Gwen Beloti pledged to make 100 dresses for LDFA. This year the volunteers will not only be making dresses for girls but shorts for boys as well.

When: School Prep Sessions: May & June. Main event: Saturday, June 25th 2016.
(Registration is mandatory)

Gwen Beloti Collection - Gwen Beloti Collection is a small womenswear company based out of NYC producing a select number of pieces per collection offering its customer a degree of exclusivity. An intimate brand catering to a style conscious community. Signatures of the designer, who launched in 2008, include flattering feminine silhouettes, fun yet timeless sophistication that easily translates from day to night. Gwen Beloti has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts which include Fashionably Smart, Literally, Prom Dress to Impress, and affiliation with Little Dresses for Africa (LDFA).

Little Dresses for Africa - LDFA is a Christian based organization that provides relief to children in Africa and other countries across the world. LDFA distributes dresses made out of pillowcases to orphanages; churches and schools to bring promise and hope to young girls. To date, LDFA has received millions of little dresses and distributed to over 31 countries in Africa and abroad.

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