Members of FirstEnergy’s Women in Leadership employee business resource group (EBRG) recently volunteered to support the 2024 Youngstown Rayen Early College Multicultural Quinceañera Ball, an event backed by DIVA Donations for the past eight years. The Northeast Ohio nonprofit provides affordable formalwear and accessories for special occasions, helping young women dress for significant events.
“Our fairy godmothers from FirstEnergy are the first group of volunteers we’ve had from a local company,” says Kristin Bodendorfer, founder of DIVA Donations. “DIVA usually operates with such a small team that we are incredibly grateful to everyone who volunteers their time to help the girls in our community shine.”
The quinceañera is a traditional celebration marking a girl’s 15th birthday, originating in Mexico. These events often feature elaborate dresses that reflect personal style while honoring cultural heritage and family roles.
“These dresses have to make a statement – we’re talking crinolines, gloves, tiaras, the works,” Bodendorfer explains. “The Quinceañera Ball is a cultural education event and not everyone who attends is Hispanic, so we work with girls of every culture to meet their needs.”
Since its inception in 2011, DIVA Donations has aimed to ease financial burdens on families and empower students by offering free access to formal clothing through its Kind Deed Currency Program. Youth can borrow dresses and accessories by volunteering two or more hours at a 501c3 charity. The organization serves 12 counties across three states and has assisted over 6,500 young women thanks to donations and dedicated volunteers.
Emily Miller, Community Outreach Co-chair for Women in Leadership’s Ohio Chapter notes: “We help organize and clean during the times they don’t have girls in for appointments. This helps free up the DIVA team to take care of other needs in the business such as crafting décor by hand to sell at fundraisers to offset costs.”
The Women in Leadership Ohio Chapter also organized a Spring/Prom donation drive for DIVA Donations. Those interested in contributing or volunteering can visit DIVA Donations’ website.
