Underprivileged high school girls are now being recognized during their time in need by two sisters who have taken the initiative to start the Give Love, Get Joy Foundation.
The Give Love, Get Joy Foundation was founded by Alyson Joy and Ashley Love Tackitt in hopes of making high school girls’ prom experiences memorable. The foundation has been collecting new and gently used formal dresses for proms and giving them to young ladies who cannot afford one. The prom dress drive will assist them with prom dresses, alterations and hair and makeup prior to the events.
The sisters have been involved in feeding the homeless, providing toiletries for their local men’s shelter and collecting backpacks, school supplies and presents for local needy children. Extensive dedication to helping others in need is what the two sisters live by.
Alyson, 13, helps her mother at the Noriega House in Bakersfield during special public events.
“It was during a wedding when I came up with the idea of having people donate their used formal dresses,” said Alyson. “Bridesmaids were leaving the event with their attire, and I thought they’re probably not going to use those gowns again, so why not ask people to donate used dresses for girls in need during prom?”
“My sister Ashley, who is 8, also has a lot of fun and is very excited about helping other girls,” said Alyson.
Bakersfield College student Kara Dritt is an employee at the Noriega House and is also volunteering her extra time with the prom dress drive.
“We have contacted all of the Kern High Schools in the district and asked them to participate with our dress drive,” said Dritt. “The schools will have a list of girls who sign up for help and from there we will ask for all of the girls to come in for fittings and to choose one dress at the Noriega House.”
The Noriega House will get back lists of underprivileged girls who have participated in the dress drive. Volunteers and employees will help with the preparation that helps the high school girls choose a dress, alterations and hair and makeup in order to complete their special event.
Olivia Johnson, 14, has volunteered to do alterations on the dresses for free. Local businesses and women’s clothing shops have also been interested in donating money and their own store dresses.
Bella in the Marketplace has donated up to 30 formal dresses to help with the foundation.
“It is a great experience to be able to know we are helping out unfortunate young girls,” said Alyson. “My sister and I have a lot of fun and we’re so excited.”
Noriega House owner and mother of the girls, Magan Tackitt, is pleased to have her girls achieve as much recognition and support as they have been receiving.
“It makes me very proud to see Alyson and Ashley grow,” said Magan. “I am pleased to see the girls communicate with others while performing interviews and meeting the donors of the dresses.”
The Noriega House will be inviting the high school girls on April 1 and will be distributing the dresses. They expect this to be a memorable event. The foundation plans to continue the collection of prom and formal dresses for years to come.
For further support, the Give Love, Get Joy Foundation will also be having a Bridal Bunco to benefit the prom dress drive. The Bridal Bunco will be held at the Noriega House on March 23, and the money raised will be used to buy shoes for the underprivileged high school girls.
“It is really unique and an exciting opportunity for girls who cannot afford dresses for prom,” said Dritt. “It is a true luxury, and I hope college students who are done with their old formal dresses will volunteer to donate them to girls in need.”