As part of Brides Across America’s
commitment to support our troops and veterans, the non-profit
organization will host their 6th annual bridal gown giveaway at salons
nationwide. From coast to coast, bridal salons are honoring veterans by
giving away free wedding gowns as a thank you for their service to this
country. To date, Brides Across America has donated over 8,000 wedding
gowns from prominent designers.
In order to qualify, brides or their fiancé must be serving in the military; either currently
deployed
or deployed within the last five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain,
Libya, Korea or Japan. Identification and deployment papers must be
presented at the event to qualify. For military brides who are
interested in more information and to fill-out the mandatory
pre-registration form, please visit
www.bridesacrossamerica.com.
There is a $20 tax-deductible donation required of brides who want to
register. The proceeds support Patriot Rovers, a non-profit
organization that provides professionally trained and certified
Psychiatric Service Dogs, instruction, and therapeutic group camaraderie
to Veteran men and women struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
and Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of their service to our country
and restore their physical and emotional independence.
In the
spirit of giving Maya Couture encourages the brides who plan to attend
their event to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Maya Couture will be collecting for
the Foodbank through November.
Many military brides find it
difficult to plan their dream wedding due to deployment, injury or
economic circumstances. Brides Across America founder, Heidi Janson,
wants to continue making dreams come true for these deserving brides.
“My goal is to make sure we don’t forget all the servicemen and women
overseas fighting for our freedom. It is imperative at this point for
Brides Across America to continue growth and to make a bigger difference
by gaining more support from bridal salons and designers.”
“I
became a military spouse last month, so as we embark on our 5th year of
recognizing and giving to our service members, I walk in the very same
shoes as the brides we will meet at our event, said Maya Holihan, owner
of Maya Couture. As a military wife, who employs military wives, we
encounter the military bride day in and day out. We feel it’s rewarding
as well as our responsibility to find as many ways as we can to support
our troops and show appreciation for the dedication and sacrifices our
military families make to support and protect our country.”
In
previous years the gowns provided have been a combination of store
samples and gowns donated from designers and the public. Because of the
five-year term Maya Couture has committed to this cause they will be
receiving 50 new gowns from one of their prominent designers for this
year’s event, through the charitable foundation “Celebrate Forever”.
About Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nationwide 501c3 that focuses on providing
free wedding gowns to those military brides that have not been able to
have their dream wedding. Brides Across America is connecting with
bridal salons across the nation to help spread the military spirit.
Operation Wedding Gown made headlines when it was featured on NBC's
"Making a Difference" with Brian Williams this fall. Since 2007, Brides
Across America and its partners have made a difference in the lives of
many military brides. Brides Across America was just recently honored by
the Joining Forces program, a national initiative to support and honor
America’s service members and their families, which was launched by
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The national charitable
organizations new mission is to support wounded warriors, post-traumatic
stress, and jobs for veterans. Brides Across America is an
organization about helping people through building community awareness
and be a leader in social responsibility.
About Maya Couture
Maya Couture is the winner of numerous awards including, named one of
the Top 50 bridal salons in the nation by BRIDE’S Magazine, 2010 Best of
Norfolk Gold Winner, 2011 & 2010 Pick for The Knot Best of
Weddings, Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Awards 2011, Virginia Living
Magazine Best of 2012, WeddingWire Rated in 2012, and Best of 757 as
voted by Hampton Roads Magazine 2012. With over 400 bridal gowns in
stock, Maya Couture offers wedding gowns with diverse and unique
necklines, fabrics, colors and details. Featuring prominent designers;
Casablanca Bridal, Ella, Essence of Australia, Jasmine, La Sposa
Barcelona, Maggie Sottero Bridal, Pronovias of Barcelona, Nicole Miller
and Sottero and Midgley. For more information about attending the event
contact Maya Couture at 757-461-1690 or visit their website at
www.mayacouture.com.
