PACE Center For Girls Of Lee County Raises More Than $126,000 Through Love That Dress!8

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aug. 30, 2016 - PRLog -- PACE Center for Girls of Lee County, a prevention program for adolescent at-risk girls, raised more than $126,000 (and counting) at its annual Love That Dress!8 shopping spree fundraising event, exceeding their $120,000 goal. Leading up to the main event six dress collection events were held, which in total raised $58,938.23 and gathered 2,000 gently loved dresses, shoes and accessories to sell at the main event. All proceeds from Love That Dress!8 will directly benefit at-risk girls ages 12 to 18 who participate in the Lee County PACE program. To date, Love That Dress! has raised more than $716,682 for PACE students.

The event, held on August 24 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Myers-Estero, included a large inventory of new dresses from White House Black Market and gently loved dresses, shoes, handbags and accessories for sale. Attendees shopped for their fashion favorites and enjoyed the event's silent auction featuring thousands of dollars worth of items, camaraderie, food and cocktails.

In total, nearly 600 fashionistas attended Love That Dress!8 and purchased 75 percent of the new and donated inventory. All remaining dresses, shoes, handbags and accessories will be sold at half price during the Love That Dress! Clearance Sale, held on September 24 from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the PACE Center, located at 3800 Evans Avenue in Fort Myers. Inventory remaining after the sale will either be sold on ShopGoodwill.com with proceeds benefitting Goodwill and PACE Center for Girls, or it will be donated directly to Goodwill Industries of SWFL in exchange for vouchers for local PACE students and their families.

This year's Love That Dress!8 sponsors included Presenting Sponsor White House|Black Market, Embassy Suites by Hilton (venue sponsor), Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Miromar Outlets, New Beginnings Events,  The News-Press, Gulfshore Life, ABC-7, 96.9 WINK FM, Pushing the Envelope, Inc., Lamar Advertising Company of Fort Myers , Fort Myers Infiniti, Living Local, SPADA Salon and Day Spa, SS Hookers Waterfront Restaurant, IBERIABANK, Cape Cabaret, Razzle Dazzle Boutique, RumRunners, Red Door Photography, Six Bends Harley-Davidson, Arthrex, Unfiltered Unfined Wines, House of Wu, Jason's Deli, Naples Daily News, Cork Soakers, Costco, Boost Creative, Signs Now, Image Matters, Atilus, LLC , Priority Payments South Florida,  Presstige Printing, Caloosa Tent and Rental, Prawnbroker Restaurant Group, Italian American Club, Happenings Magazine, Noela Chocolates, Wicked Dolphin Rum, Sebrie Images, Living Local, Marine Max of Fort Myers, NuImage Dry Cleaners,  A Jaron Fine Jewelry, Key Lime Bistro and Naples Flatbread and Wine Bar.

VIP Suite sponsors included Florida Skin Center, Dr. Garramone Plastic Surgery, The Home Mag, Private Client Insurance Services, Florida Marina Club, Giving Alliance of Women, Gail Markham & Friends, Anne Wittenborn & Nicole Stevens, Cheryl Komnick & Deanna Hansen and Noelle Melanson & Amy McGarry.

About PACE Center for Girls

PACE Center for Girls is a Florida-based, nonprofit organization and the only statewide prevention program for adolescent at-risk girls in the nation. The non-residential program targets the unique needs of girls, ages 12 to 18, facing challenges such as physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, foster care, neglect, death of a parent, family history of incarceration and declining grades. In the past year, the Lee County program provided 106 girls with education, counseling, training and advocacy, resulting in 96 percent of girls in the program having no involvement with juvenile justice within one year of leaving PACE, 93 percent improving their academic performance and 76 percent remaining in school or obtaining employment three years after leaving PACE. As a result, PACE reduces the significant long-term costs associated with teen pregnancy, substance use, unemployment and long-term economic dependency.

Photos are available for download at https://www.mediafire.com/folder/nwlmuk8qzxmuf/Love_That_...