Erin Tyler, business marketing and management junior, is collecting donations of prom and pageant dresses for storm victims.

On March 2, a tornado outbreak traveled through Southern Indiana and Kentucky. Washington and Clark counties were greatly affected, and Henryville schools also had significant damage, causing students to finish their school years in alternate locations.

Tyler said she considers prom one of her best high school memories and could not imagine a young girl not having the same opportunity.

While people have lost their homes and their schools, Tyler said prom should not be another thing for them to miss.

Tyler decided to pack up all of her pageant and prom dresses to take to Henryville.

“To think for a second that a young girl would have to miss out on that event because they have no dress or a young man has no tux is out of the question when so many of us just have our dresses and tuxes hanging in the closet as a memory,” Tyler said.

Tyler said her mother questioned her to make sure she wanted to give away her dresses.

“What are these girls going to wear if they don’t even have a home left,” Tyler said. “I’m sure a dress isn’t a priority. Surely I can give a few dresses up for them to start making some new memories in.”

Lisa Tyler, Erin Tyler’s mother, said she is a very determined individual with a huge heart.

“For three days straight, I don’t think she really slept at all, between collecting donations and other items and delivering them,” Lisa Tyler said. “She couldn’t sleep the first night, trying to find ways to help after dark, so she volunteered to start doing laundry for the Duke Energy workers on our road and took them food and drinks when she returned their clean laundry to them.”

Erin Tyler said she contacted a lady who was trying to organize an event for storm victims to receive prom dresses, hair and makeup.

“This has turned into collecting prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, hair accessories, tuxes, shoes, shirts and ties as we have realized that the need is much wider than just the Henryville area,” Erin Tyler said.

The items will be collected through March 29 and taken to Wick’s Pizza in New Albany on March 31. Girls will also be able to set up hair, make-up and nail appointments, with all services donated by volunteers.

In addition, Erin Tyler is a Mary Kay Consultant. She will be delivering the dresses to Wick’s while donating her time and products for any girls who would like to make an appointment.

Not far from the destruction, Erin Tyler lives on State Highway 335 near Jordan Lake in the Pekin area, which was in the path of the tornado.

Her family’s home and property endured minimal damage, but the tornado came close to her house.

“I could easily throw a small bouncy ball from our home to the house across the road, which has no garage and is entirely gone from the windows up and missing the back wall of their home,” Erin Tyler said. “To say the least, we were very blessed.”

Erin Tyler said she has friends and neighbors who were left with only the foundation of their homes. Some neighbors had broken windows and down trees, but other homes were destroyed.

“One of my best friend’s parents lost their entire home on Jordan Lake, just across the road,” Erin Tyler said.

However, the Pekin community is coming together to help the victims. There are free meals provided for those who are victims or volunteering.

“Everyone is doing their part and giving all they can, whether that consists of clothing, tools, household items, food, personally volunteering to help or giving monetary donations,” Erin Tyler said.

The New Pekin area also received damage, but the residents have not forgotten about those in Henryville, Borden, Chelsea or Marysville.

While Erin Tyler and her friends were taking items to the Henryville Church, they ran into individuals from their hometown.

“There is not a selfish person to be found in this area,” Erin Tyler said.

Anyone interested in donating any dresses, shoes, accessories or disposable cameras, contact Erin Tyler at (812) 528-0047 or ErinRachelTyler@hotmail.com.

By ASHLEY ELGIN

Staff

ashelgin@iupui.edu