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Military spouses, Melissa Schwartz (left to right), Blair Southerland and Addie Russell browse through donated gowns before modeling in the ‘Extravagownza’ pre-fashion show at The Clubs at Quantico on Sept. 16, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. The Marine Corps Family Team Building program partnered with the Quantico Officers’ Spouses’ Organization for the gown giveaway, which will take place Oct. 19, 2013, at the Religious and Family Services Center.

Photo by Ameesha Felton

‘Extravagownza’ to offer free gowns for Corps’ birthday ball

17 Sep 2013 | Ameesha Felton Marine Corps Base Quantico

Shopping for a formal gown can be an exciting venture, but it can also be expensive. With the Marine Corps Family Team Building program’s “Extravagownza,” on Oct. 19, military spouses and service members can find the perfect dress for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at no cost.

The gown giveaway will be at the Religious and Family Services Center, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. MCFTB partnered with the Quantico Officers’ Spouses’ Organization for this event. Marines and spouses of Marines who are E-5 and below can attend the event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. All ranks can attend from noon to 2 p.m. 

Each year, the program collects hundreds of donated gowns from military spouses and Marines at Quantico. The event is not a charitable occasion, rather one that creates an opportunity for military spouses in particular to share with each other and build camaraderie, Barbara Hawkins, coordinator and MCFTB trainer, said.

“This is more of a dress swap that gives military spouses an opportunity to feel good about sharing and also finding the right dress for them,” Hawkins said.

Last year, the program collected 300 gowns and gave away 130. Hawkins said they’re still accumulating dresses for this year’s event, but her hope is that everyone who attends will leave with a gown.

Several volunteers, like Dara Leech, who is also a Marine spouse, will be there to help shoppers find an evening gown that best suits them. For the second-year volunteer, it’s an opportunity to offer fashion advice and meet others. 

“I really like meeting other spouses and helping them find their dress,” Leech said. “Seeing someone leave with their gown and a big smile on their face is just an awesome feeling.”

On Monday, Sept. 16, MCFTB, held a teaser fashion show at The Clubs at Quantico in hopes of building excitement for the upcoming giveaway. Models wore donated gowns and walked along side Marines in dress blues. Hawkins said the goal was to give guests an idea of how the gowns coordinate with uniforms and to reassure them the contributions will be elegant and stylish.

“We want to generate excitement and get ladies to realize there will be nice, trendy dresses [at the ‘Extravagownza’] and not anything from the 1980s, Hawkins said with a chuckle.

Those who are interested in donating a gown to MCFTB can contact Barbara Hawkins at 703-634-2678. The program is looking for fashionable formal gowns that are gently used, as well as shoes, jewelry, clutches and scarves.

Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com


Marine Corps Base Quantico