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The Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Events and Logistics Unit teamed up with Becca’s Closet to transport and provide free prom dresses to Blanche Ely and Boyd Anderson High School students. Pop-up events were held at the schools on Tuesday, April 1, and Friday, April 4, to give underprivileged girls an opportunity to say “YES” to the dress!

“The partnership between BSO and Becca’s Closet came about when I found out they had to move out of The Festival Flea Market,” Major Audrey Jones said. “We presented the idea of a pop-up event to the schools, and they were elated.”  

Established in 2003, Becca’s Closet is a non-profit organization that provides free prom dresses, prom ticket donations, and $25,000 worth of post-secondary scholarships to students nationwide. The charitable organization, which has 54 chapters in 26 states, was created by Jay and Pam Kirtman to memorialize the project their daughter, Rebecca Kirtman, launched while at Nova High.

“Rebecca started this project when she was a freshman in high school in Davie. She wanted to make sure that all of her friends could party together,” Pam said. “It was very simple. She wanted to make sure that everybody could participate in something that is such a special part of high school.” 

Rebecca, affectionately known as Becca, and Bec, was known for bringing everyone closer. She singlehandedly collected and donated more than 250 formal dresses to girls across South Florida before her tragic passing in August of 2003. Her death was the result of an automobile accident. 

“We live in a mean world,” Major Jones said. “But Maya Angelo said it best. ‘Come as you are and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your kindness,’ and that is what Becca did, and that’s what her parents continue to do.”

On April 19, Becca’s Closet will host its last appointment of the season at its current location, closing its doors after more than 21 years. The organization plans to relocate in the future. 

To learn more about the non-profit organization or how you can help, visit their website at www.beccascloset.org.