Page 24 - AUG 2018 The Castle Pines Connection proof 1

24 CastlePinesConnection.com
Creating memories one dress at a time
Article and photo by Catalin Varela
The new year brings new beginnings in all areas of life, including the closest. We all have that corner of the closet we have not touched in a while; that corner that we swear every year we are going to either
t into or get rid of. This year, why not share the gift of your clothing with others
who will put it to good use? It is no secret that unneeded clothing can be donated to nonpro ts such as The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Help & Hope Center and Arc Thrift Stores.
A lesser known but equally important nonpro t, ParkerSecret Closet, accepts new and almost-new formal dresses, tuxedos, sports coats, ties, graduation gowns and accessories and provides them, free of charge, to any student who has an important event they would like to attend. ParkerSecret Closet is “Helping to create memories, one dress at a time.”
Director Kiva Frey said she acquired a signi cant number of formal dresses after the closing of a small boutique and saw a huge need when a teen who would not have otherwise attended prom reached out to her for a dress. While storing all of the dresses in her basement, Frey welcomed high school students to come and take a look before their formal events. But ultimately, Frey knew the setup was only temporary, and it was this that inspired her to start the nonpro t. ParkerSecret Closet is currently housed
in BlueMountain Self Storage, located at 10255 Dransfeldt Place in Parker.
Teens can make an appointment with ParkerSecret Closet and be tted for a
dress or suit for their formal event. This nonpro t is changing the game for teens, but can only continue to make a positive impact with the help of your donations. The nonpro t requests that donated dresses be less than ve years old. According to Frey, “If you wouldn’t wear it tomorrow, don’t donate it today.” ParkerSecret Closet accepts new or nearly-new formal gowns and accessories in excellent condition.
Instead of those items collecting dust in the closet, it would be incredibly heart- warming to know that your formal items were going on to create new, lasting memories. To date, ParkerSecret Closet has helped more than 1,000 teens create magical lasting memories. As we start a new year, please consider helping to build memories for teens in our community.
For more information on how and where to donate, volunteering opportunities and appointment times, visit www. parkersecretcloset.org.
Have fun pictures of you and your date in your prom attire? We’d love for you to share them with us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @ CastlePinesConnection.
The 4th annual Surrey Ridge Whiny
Baby Birthday Bash
Article and photos by Patte Smith
The Whiny Baby Birthday Bash included a white elephant gift exchange for the guests of honor to get some “treasured” gifts.
December babies often times feel they get overlooked for their birthdays. One kind-hearted wife in Surrey Ridge, whose husband was born in December, took pity on those “poor whiny mistreated individuals” and started the tradition of the Whiny Baby Birthday Bash.
The party not only celebrates December-born whiners, it is for a good cause – collecting socks for the homeless. This year the sock drive collected more than 160 pairs of socks. One new Surrey Ridge neighbor we discovered takes time every year to pass out shoes to those less fortunate on Christmas Eve. It was “ tting” indeed that neighbors and friends gathered together. And, there really wasn’t too much whining.
Left: Generous Surrey Ridge neighbors Susan and Brian do their part in helping the homeless during the holidays – Susan gathers socks for them and Brian passes out shoes on Christmas Eve.