AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns
The Association of the United States Army or AUSA is accepting donations of women’s formal attire in the initiative, “Operation Deploy Your Dress.” CONTRIBUTED
Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Record, Monrovia, News, Unincorporated Madison County, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
3:42 pm Saturday, March 23, 2024

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

MADISON – The Association of the United States Army or AUSA is helping military families with its current project, “Operation Deploy Your Dress” or ODYD.

AUSA, a nonprofit educational and professional development organization, serves America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense. AUSA provides a voice for the Army, supports the soldier and honors those who have served to advance the nation’s security. (ausa.org)

The Family Readiness Directorate and ODYD campaign are accepting donations of gently used and new formal attire in all sizes for women. Individuals also can give accessories, like shawls, purses and jewelry, to complete the woman’s formal attire, according to Marc Jacobson, who is President, AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter.

ODYD’s primary goal is to improve the quality of life for military families by offsetting expenses of attending formal military functions. The initiative’s slogan is “Deploying America’s Patriotism – One Dress at a Time.”

Organizers will collect donations in two drop-off locations during the AUSA Global Force Symposium:

* Von Braun Center, East Hall — At Booth 2122 for AUSA Family Readiness group. Individuals can bring their donations to this booth on March 26-27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.

* Rocket City Bash – At U.S. Space and Rocket Center in the Davidson Center. Organizers will accept donations on March 27 from 5 to 9 p.m.

For easy access, a QR code is included on fliers for Operation Deploy Your Dress. For more information, email familyreadiness@ausa.org.

Family Readiness provides connections to relevant resources with the “Army Matters” podcast series, publications, social media, year-round expositions and symposiums, virtual and in-person events, forums, scholarships, advocacy efforts and ODYD.

ODYD was founded in 2015 at Fort Bliss, Texas, by military spouses who organized a dress swap to lessen the cost of formal wear for holiday balls. The idea quickly grew into an organization run by dozens of volunteers, offering gently used dresses and accessories to military members and dependents.

The group now has 13 shops across the U.S. and one in Germany. In the past six years, ODYD has given away more than 20,000 gowns, saving military families $2 million, according to ausa.org.

AUSA is open to everyone – those with a relationship with the U.S. Army and people who want to support soldiers.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *