Goodwill’s

Wedding GalaMemory Book

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Brides-to-be line up – and even camp out – for the 6 a.m. opening.

Let the shopping begin!

Petit fours for the hungry shoppers. Register to win gift baskets.

What annual fundraiser inspires women to queue up in the dark on a steamy Florida night, stake out their patch of sidewalk with lawn chairs and the occasional tent, and chatter the hours away with strangers-become-BFFs? It’s Goodwill’s wildly popular Wedding Galas — this year set for June 4 in Oldsmar and June 11 in Ocala.

Helping brides trim their wedding budgets in an economy that is far from recovered, Goodwill will sell 330 brand new wedding gowns donated by local boutiques. Goodwill prices begin at $90 for gowns still carrying original price tags up to $4,650.

Doors will open at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 4 at the Goodwill Superstore in Oldsmar, 3929 Tampa Rd., and again on Saturday, June 11 at 6 a.m. at the Goodwill Superstore in Ocala, 2830 S.W. 27th Ave.

Goodwill expects to see hundreds of Central Florida brides-to-be, moms, friends and fiancés arrive very early in order to get the first shot at the gorgeous gowns. Girls are given numbers as they arrive and are admitted into the dressing area in that order. Goodwill also predicts that some gown-hunters will drive the two hours north to Ocala a week later if they don’t find their dream gowns the first Saturday. The dresses will be split between the two stores, 165 at each event, so that brides will have a completely different selection of gowns to choose from at the Ocala event.

Many of the gowns feature elaborate beadwork and trains and carry well-known wedding gown labels such as Priscilla’s of Boston, Demetrios, Justin Alexander and La Sposa. Gowns were donated by Athena’s Bridal Boutique in Clearwater; CC’s Boutique in St. Petersburg; Diana’s Bridal in Tampa; Jon’s Bridal in Tampa; Natasha’s Boutique in Seminole; and Olga’s Bridal & Boutique in Tampa.

In addition to wedding gowns, shoppers will also find new bridesmaid dresses, bridal shoes, and wedding accessories. Goodwill Wedding Gala festivities include themed refreshments do-nated by Publix Super Markets as well as music and prize drawings at both stores.

Proceeds from the events will benefit Goodwill-Suncoast’s training programs in Tampa Bay and Ocala for people who have developmental disabilities. This boost to the agency’s summer re-tail sales will help offset state funding cuts to Goodwill’s programs, which provide training, work and paychecks to people who have been diagnosed with mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other severe disabilities.

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Goodwill’s

Wedding Gala

330 New Wedding Gowns at Gorgeous Prices!Gowns worth $300 to $4,000, priced from $90!

Goodwill’s 2011

Wedding Galasto benefit Goodwill’s programs for people with disabilities

Saturday, June 4 Oldsmar Goodwill Superstore6:00 a.m. 3929 Tampa Road, Oldsmar (1 mile west of Racetrack Rd.)

Saturday, June 11 Ocala Goodwill Superstore6:00 a.m. 2830 27th Ave. S.W., Ocala (Near Paddock Mall)

www.goodwill-suncoast.org

RefreshmentsGift Basket Drawing

n 165 new gowns at each storen Well-known bridal labels

n Accessories, jewelry and attendant giftsn Limited selection of bridesmaid gowns

and mother-of-the-bride dresses

We thank our generous donors

CC’s Boutique, St. Petersburg n Athena’s Bridal Boutique, ClearwaterDiana’s Bridal, Tampa n Jon’s Bridal, Tampa

Natasha’s Boutique, Seminole n Olga’s Bridal & Boutique, Tampa

Goodwill’s

Wedding Gala