A stock photo of wedding dresses.Photo:Getty Images
Getty Images
A Massachusetts-based national nonprofit that focuses on providing wedding dresses to military brides, first responders and health care workers has lost the majority of its inventory after its facility was flooded last week.
“Everything was just mud soaking wet, water everywhere,” Janson told WCVB, adding, “This is our home base. For everything we run, all our events, all our charity division out of here. So any time we have a last-minute wedding, we’ll come, and we’ll be pulling.”
According to itswebsite, Brides Across America, which was founded in 2008, has donated over 28,000 wedding gowns to military and first responder brides.
“We believe in changing lives and transformation,” it continued. “If we can change one life and make a difference, we have done what we set out to do."
The organization had no flood insurance since the warehouse was not located in a declared flood zone, according to aGoFundMeestablished on behalf of Brides Across America. The fundraising page also said that the wedding dress inventory was also used for Brides of America’sOperation Wedding Gownevents.
“This is devastating and we are unsure how we can continue our mission,” Janson said in a statement shared via the GoFundMe page.
At the moment, the organization is currently focused on tackling the mold and water damage inside the warehouse. Funds from the GoFundMe will help in this process. “It might seem like a small thing even just $10,” Janson also toldBoston 25 News, “but that will go a long way in the end game because this is a big mission, we’re a small team with a big mission and we’ve been doing this for 15 years.”
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According toCBS News Boston, North Andover experienced approximately seven inches of rain on August 8, resulting in flooded roads, basements and businesses like Brides Across America.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lieutenant Gov. Kim Driscoll recentlyvisited the areato survey the flood’s impact, which North Andover’s town manager said could approach $20 million in damage, the same outlet reported.
source: people.com
