On April 28, the AUSA Family Readiness Directorate will once again partner with Operation Deploy Your Dress (ODYD), a 100 percent donation-based, volunteer-run, military spouse founded nonprofit organization.

ODYD collects and distributes gently used and new formal attire to military and dependent ID cardholders to offset the cost of attending military balls and other formal events.

Similar to last year’s first event, the Association of the U. S. Army’s General Gordon R. Sullivan Conference and Event Center will be transformed into a high-end evening wear boutique, but this time with a unique twist for AUSA members.

From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., AUSA members will be the first group to be welcomed and allowed to “shop” from the wide assortment of the available evening wear.

“This is our way of thanking AUSA and their members for their generosity and support of the ODYD mission,” said Yvonne Coombs, ODYD co-founder.

Military and civilian donors, to include several from AUSA’s Fairfax Lee and George Washington chapters, donated over 2,000 gowns, handbags and pieces of jewelry to Operation Deploy Your Dress’s first-ever pop-up event co-hosted with AUSA in 2017.

Coombs said, “I can say, without a doubt, the event Operation Deploy Your Dress put on [last year] for the amazing military families of the National Capital Region was only possible because of the generosity of AUSA and the cooperative planning between our two groups.”

Doors will open to all military ID card holders beginning at 10 a.m. and remain open until 5 p.m.

Military ID card holders are eligible to receive one free dress. Proof of ID is required.

“We are thrilled to partner with ODYD again in 2018 said Patty Barron, director of AUSA’s Family Readiness.

Adding, “Last year over 200 military spouses joined us for the event, and we hope to see that number grow in 2018.

Tuxedos and suits are also available for male military members, and ODYD is hoping to grow the number of male attire donations this year. It is a win-win for everyone.”

For more information on the April 28th ODYD pop–up event or to make donations visit: https://www.facebook.com/operationdeployyourdress/ or email familyreadiness@ausa.org