When I took over the Monroe County chapter of Becca’s Closet in early 2015, I had never even heard of this organization. A friend of mine, Mackenzie Wilson, had gone off to college, and the girl she had handed the chapter off to didn’t realize what she was taking on. I saw Mackenzie when she came home during winter break, and she was frantic, trying to run the chapter from college. I happily agreed to take it over, having no idea what a huge part of my life Becca’s Closet would soon become.

I can easily say that in the past three years, Becca’s Closet has become a passion of mine. My third and final dress distribution just took place, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I was able to help girls from so many different …show more content…
The woman I’ve become is a direct result of my involvement with Becca’s Closet. I’ve suffered from social anxiety for a long time, and, as unpleasant as it is, the best way to lessen social anxiety is to face your fears. With Becca’s Closet, my innate need to do the best by any commitment I take on won out over my anxiety. I had to talk to strangers, ask people for things, and learn to be turned down. It’s taken until my third year, but I’ve almost conquered my phone call anxiety. I’ve been on multiple local news channels advertising the dress distribution. I can stand up in a room full of people and describe Becca’s Closet’s mission and only break a minor sweat. I have become organized, well-spoken, and even more driven to help others. Today, I am someone that me two years ago would have looked up …show more content…
Her name was Angel, and she had Cerebral Palsy. Her mother sent me an email before the event to see if we might have a dress that would work for her; I assured her that we did and invited her to come an hour earlier than the flyers advertised so that her daughter could take her time in the dressing room. Her mother sent me an email accepting my offer and overflowing with joy that her baby girl was going to prom. Angel, her mother, and her grandmother arrived an hour early to the event as promised, and I set to work on finding her a dress she loved.

It took them about an hour in the changing room; getting dresses on and off Angel was a little time consuming. Finally, the three of them emerged smiling, holding a knee-length lavender dress that they declared to be the one. Her mother wrapped me in a hug, and, shyly, Angel hugged me, too. I put her dress in a bag and said goodbye to them, but not even a minute had passed before her mom came running back in to tell me one more time just how much this dress meant to them. I smile every time I think about Angel and her family; it was such a meaningful