A different type of diva organization rents ‘dress of their dreams’ to girls in need

February 10, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

In today’s entertainment world, the word “diva” usually describes a famous, wealthy and perhaps self-absorbed pop star. “Diva,” however, has a different meaning for an organization whose goal is to match girls in need with the dress of their dreams.

“Diva stands for ‘Divinely Inspired, Virtuously Acquired,’” said Kristin Bodendorfer of Poland, founder of Diva Donations, a group dedicated to “making a dream occasion perfect for a girl” by renting dresses for every occasion from homecoming to prom and even for weddings at very low cost.

The organization’s fund-raising event Saturday at the Packard Park Shelter House featured members of a Girl Scout troop from Austintown modeling the dresses and 25 vendors offering jewelry, cosmetics and accessories.

“We’re hoping to raise money so that we can receive our nonprofit designation and qualify for a grant to pay for our services like storing the dresses and dry-cleaning them after each use,” Bodendorfer said.

Bodendorfer said she got the idea to start the organization after financial difficulties left her unable to afford a Sweethearts Dance dress for one of her four daughters. When her oldest daughter provided a dress that she had worn only once, Bodendorfer thought others might help in the same way, so she posted her suggestion on Facebook.

“I knew I had to go bigger than this,” she said.

That’s when the power of social media took over. Thanks to dress donations from individuals and more than 600 new dresses from a consignment store in Lisbon, Diva Donations has nearly 1,000 dresses and operates by appointment only on South Avenue in North Lima. A second location inside Christ Episcopal Church on Atlantic Street Northeast, Warren, is scheduled to open March 2.

“There are a lot of women who want to help girls do things they may not be able to do,” said Davina Holbrook of Champion, who is in charge of the Warren location. Holbrook previously had donated dresses to Champion High School before joining forces with Bodendorfer.

Madi Pomeroy, 14, of Youngstown, a freshman at Ursuline High School, said she has taken advantage of the low-priced rentals and hopes other girls will follow her example.

“Their dresses are really gorgeous, and I was able to get one for my varsity homecoming dance last November,” she said.

Maria Tirado of Austintown, whose two daughters were among the Girl Scout models, said she rented a dress for one of them and it meant everything for her emotional well-being.

“My daughter feels like a princess, and I am so happy,” she said.

The dresses aren’t only for teenagers, as evidenced by the mother of one of the Girl Scouts, Rosalind Yount of Austintown, who modeled a bridal gown available for rental that drew a number of favorable comments.

“I’m sure there are a number of women that would want to take advantage of this,” Yount said.

Bodendorfer said prom dresses rent for a $35 deposit, but $20 is refunded when the dress is returned. For homecoming and similar events, the deposit is $25 with $15 refunded upon return. The balance pays for dry cleaning, but Bodendorfer concedes it’s not enough to cover the bills.

“We’re hoping to find a dry cleaner that can help us out,” she said. “Still, when you consider we’ve gone from 15 dresses to this in less than one year, it has to be divinely inspired.”