The Dress a Girl Around the World ministry at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church has quietly transformed lives for over a decade. Led by Sharon Rudy, Nancy McLinden, and Rita Gore, the ministry brings together a dedicated group of volunteers to sew dresses for girls in need around the globe, providing them with clothing, dignity, hope, and a tangible reminder that someone cares about them.

The Origins and Evolution of the Ministry

Dress a Girl Around the World is part of Hope 4 Women International, a 501(c)(3) organization established to empower women in Uganda. The campaign has grown into a global initiative to provide handmade dresses to impoverished girls, often in remote and underserved regions. "The idea is simple but powerful," explains Rudy. "Every girl deserves at least one new dress in her lifetime, and this is our way of showing them they are valued."

The St. Mary of Vernon chapter was established in 2010 and continues to grow. Since taking the reins in 2022, Rudy has seen the ministry produce and distribute around 1,200 dresses annually. The group meets monthly to sew, review quality, and assemble kits for other volunteers. Rudy, emphasizes the collective effort that drives their success. "It's all about the group," she says, underlining the importance of each individual's contribution. "We have about 25-30 people at each meeting, but many more sew at home and just bring the dresses in." This collective effort is what makes the ministry so inspiring.

A Community of Skilled Volunteers

The ministry thrives on the diversity of talents within its community. From those who wash and iron donated material to the cutting, matching colors and adding embellishments and sewing, each volunteer brings something unique to the table. "The creativity that comes out in this process is amazing." One parishioner sews a dress daily, bringing 30 dresses to each meeting, while another volunteer repurposes men's dress shirts into beautiful garments for the girls.

The ministry's impact reaches far beyond clothing. Each dress pocket contains a pair of underwear, a hand-stitched doll for younger girls, or a bracelet for older ones. These thoughtful additions bring joy and a sense of ownership to the recipients. "We are providing hope through our actions and giving the girls a sense of dignity," Rudy explains.

Challenges and Growth

The ministry's greatest challenge is distribution, but Rudy is constantly seeking new avenues. "We've been working with Deacon Don Grossnickle from Our Lady of the Wayside and his MAAP Foundation, which funds sustainable agriculture and healthcare projects in Uganda," Rudy notes. "Each time Deacon Don starts a new farm, he wants to distribute dresses to the girls in those communities." Deacon Don facilitated the distribution of 300 dresses this past August.

Despite these challenges, the ministry continues to grow. Rudy recently expanded her efforts in Arlington Heights due to her recent move, adding more sewers to the group. The ministry is evolving, and we hope to continue to help more girls and advance the faith of our volunteers through this work.

Seeing the Impact

According to Rudy, the most rewarding part of the ministry is seeing the impact of their work on the girls who receive the dresses. "Everyone remembers the fabric they sewed, and it's amazing to see pictures of their work on a girl thousands of miles away," she says. One touching detail is that the girls often smell the dresses first, as they are used to receiving only hand-me-downs. The fresh, clean scent and the fact that the dress is entirely their own make a profound impact.

Rudy remains committed to the ministry's mission as it looks to the future. "I always say, remember your talents," she advises. The church doesn't only need money; it needs your talent." With Rudy's leadership and the collective effort of its members, the Dress a Girl Around the World ministry at St. Mary of Vernon will continue to empower and help girls worldwide, one stitch at a time.

Upcoming Meeting Dates

• October 13, 2024
• November 10, 2024

Meetings take place from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the St. Mary of Vernon Parish Center classrooms at 236 U.S. Highway 45, Indian Creek, IL 60061.