Lake County Gazette

State Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) is helping spread the word about an upcoming dress distribution program hosted by Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

“Fowler is teaming up with local organizations to host a dress distribution program where they are giving away youth0sized girl dresses to families throughout Southern Illinois,” McConchie said in a March 9 Facebook post.

The program intends to provide more than 600 dresses, all of them coming from 97-year-old Florida resident Joy Casino. She has sewn more than 10,000 dresses in the last 10 years for children all over the world.

“Joy’s talent and generous donations have helped those in need for years, and I am honored to be able to help spread her kindness to children who may otherwise go without in Southern Illinois,” Fowler said on his website. “With the Easter holiday just around the corner, we want to be able to get the word out about this availability of these beautiful dresses and help as many families as possible.”

Fowler is partnering with Caritas Family Solutions, Lutheran Social Services and United Way of Southern Illinois, all of which will have at least 100 dresses at their facility ranging in size from 6 months to girl size 12.

“Clothing insecurity is a very real problem which many families face throughout our country,” Fowler said. “I hope this small gesture can make a difference in the lives of those in our communities.”