About Us
Since 2008, The Giving Gown Foundation has helped thousands of teen girls experience one of the most meaningful milestones of their high school years with dignity, confidence, and joy, regardless of their financial circumstances. What began as a single Prom Boutique serving 85 girls has grown, with the generosity of our donors and community partners, into an annual event that now serves more than 1,000 young women each year across the Houston area.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization, we rely entirely on monetary and in-kind contributions from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic partners. These gifts make it possible to provide prom gowns, accessories, meals, swag bags, and a powerful empowerment workshop—completely free of charge to our attendees. While the girls may arrive focused on finding the perfect dress, your support ensures they leave with something far more lasting: confidence, self-worth, and the knowledge that their community believes in them. The Giving Gown experience is an investment in the heart, and its impact stays with each young woman long after prom night.
Our purpose is an experience for the heart, and our girls walk away with more than a dress!
GOWN DONATIONS:
We accept new and “like-new” gowns appropriate for Prom, year round.
Two easy dress drop off locations:
Drop off gowns at Bammel Church of Christ located at 2700 Cypress Creek Pkwy Houston TX 77068
OR at any Houston area Tide Dry Cleaners, just tell them it’s for GGF!
*We DO NOT accept wedding dresses or casual dresses*
Questions about gown donations? Contact inventory@givinggown.org
OUR STORY
The Giving Gown story began in 2007, inspired by a simple but powerful idea. After learning about organizations that provided teenage girls with everything they needed to attend formal events, JoAnn Trchalek felt called to bring a similar outreach to girls in her local Houston community. Together with her co-founder, Adina Walker, she set out to create a prom experience that would provide the necessities - completely free of charge—to girls facing financial hardship.
What began as an outreach serving fewer than 100 girls quickly grew into something extraordinary. Today, Giving Gown hosts an annual Boutique Day weekend that serves more than 1000 young women. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make each girl feel cherished, from the pink fairy godmother aprons worn by volunteers to a breathtaking dress inventory of more than 5,000 gowns. The Boutique Day ballroom is filled with beauty, grace, and joy - an experience that truly must be seen to be believed.
While we love dresses at Giving Gown, we love these girls even more. At its heart, Giving Gown is about far more than a dress. We believe every girl deserves to feel loved, celebrated, and valued simply for who she is - no strings attached. We recognize that life circumstances can make it difficult for families to afford “extras,” and Giving Gown exists to help bridge that gap.
On Boutique Day, each young woman is paired with a Fairy Godmother who walks alongside her throughout the experience. Together, they select a gown, a handbag, and jewelry for her special night. On-site seamstresses provide alterations to ensure each dress fits perfectly, offering that extra stitch that makes all the difference. Guests enjoy a lunch in our Boutique Day Café, and the day culminates with our Empowerment Workshop, where girls learn about real beauty, confidence, and self-worth. They may arrive for a dress, but they leave with so much more.
Our volunteers are truly the heart of Giving Gown. Many of us remember a time when we needed help but didn’t have the resources to ask. We believe that serving others creates a joy unlike anything else—and it shows. When you walk into the boutique, you’ll see volunteers smiling just as brightly as the princesses they serve. We are honored to provide a meaningful, life-giving volunteer experience for the Houston community, and we simply could not do this without the generous hearts of the people of Houston, Texas.
There is a place for you in the Giving Gown story. Whether through a financial gift, in-kind support, or volunteering your time, you can help create an unforgettable experience for a teenage girl who deserves to feel celebrated and cherished. Every contribution, large or small, plays a role in transforming a single day into a lifelong memory. Join us in empowering girls, one dress at a time.
2025-2026 board of directors & Leadership Team
Board of Directors:
President | Cindy Schott, president@givinggown.org
Secretary | Karina McGavock, secretary@givinggown.org
Treasurer | Winnie Muery, treasurer@givinggown.org
Boutique Director | LC Ricke boutique@givinggown.org Fundraising Director | LC Ricke fundraising@givinggown.org
Inventory Director | Jennifer Goodwin, inventorydirector@givinggown.org Marketing Directors | Grace Emma, Lindsey Murphy marketing@givinggown.org
Registration Director | Candice Davis, registration@givinggown.org Scholarship Director | Ann Marie Reigrut scholarship@givinggown.org Volunteer Director | Rikki Speck Wiggs, volunteer@givinggown.org
Leadership Team:
Advisor to the Board | Bobbi Jo Miller, advisor@givinggown.org Empowerment Coordinators | Geovanna Burgess White, Yvette Valdenegro Inventory Coordinators | Linda Jacobs, Rachel Briones inventory@givinggown.org Period Poverty Coordinator | periodpoverty@givinggown.org Swag Bag Coordinators | Brandi Sublatara , Bridget Moore, Amy Mansouri Registration Intern | Spencer Schott