Kendra Raddatz is an amazing young person who put into action a great program for young people in our community!
The Wausau Times asked Kendra a few questions…
Wausau Times: How did you come to start this program in Wausau?
Kendra: This project is to complete my Girl Scout Gold Award, and also to help my peers be able to attend the schools formal dances.
Wausau Times: What made you choose this project?
Kendra: I enjoy helping people in need. I saw another school doing this and thought it would be a good idea for my school and my community.
Wausau Times: What do you hope to accomplish with this program?
Kendra: I hope my project will help many students attend formal dances that they wouldn’t have otherwise had the means to. For the next 2 years, I plan to continue to offer the Wausau East Formal Showcase 3-4 times per year for school dances. After I graduate, my dream is for my project to become a community-wide closet that will be offered to many area students from all area schools.
Wausau Times: What can someone expect when they get there? How does it work?
Kendra: All donated clothing (long/short dresses, men’s coats, dress shirts, dress pants, men’s & women’s shoes, belts, ties, jewelry, and makeup), is sized and displayed on racks and put out for students to choose from.
Students come in to “shop” for items they like and feel comfortable in. I have even built a fitting room that’s available for them to use. When students find items, they complete a contract stating what they are borrowing, and that they will return it within 2 weeks after the dance in the same condition that they borrowed it in. There is also a box at the bottom of the contract that students can check if they are in need of financial assistance (help with funding for tickets, flowers, and/or clothing alterations). I have set up a GoFundMe account asking for donations to fund this. https://www.gofundme.com/f/wausau-east-formal-showcase