Inland Empire Community Newspapers • August 8, …iecn.com/archives/archive/WEB2013/8:8:13 Web Pages/IECN5.pdf · Inland Empire Community Newspapers • August 8, ... as the bride-to-be

Inland Empire Community Newspapers • August 8, 2013 • Page A5

Brides-to-be help benefit Beloved Foundation By Yazmin Alvarez

Jessie Blyler peaked her headout of a dressing room be-decked in yet another wed-

ding gown.“What do you think?” she askedfriend, Shannon Schmetzer, whojoined Blyler for moral support onmission to find a perfect dress forthe big day.“Wow, that one looks really

good—it’s gorgeous,” Schmetzersaid, as the bride-to-be smiled,nervously.In truth, they all looked spectacu-lar on Blyler. But the real jaw-dropper of theday—the price of the designergowns.For two days only, Beloved Cou-ture Bridal in downtown Redlandsreduced the price of its gowns,some in the thousands, from $200to $800.A steal for a wedding dress, and afraction of the retail price, com-

mented Blyler as she skimmed theracks packed full with gowns -some beaded, some plain and somelaced.The two-day sale, held Aug. 3 and4, benefitted the Beloved Founda-tion, a nonprofit organizationformed through the couture shop.The annual event brought outbrides-to-be to stand in line as earlyas 6 a.m. in hopes of saying, “Yesto the dress.”Blyler, who missed the morningcrowd and showed in the early af-ternoon of Aug. 3, had free range ofthe store.She knew all along that Belovedwas where she wanted to find herdress.“Wedding dresses can get prettypricey,” she said. “Knowing that,I’d rather spend the money here forthe good that comes out of it.”Two friends, Jennifer Talbert-Miller and Kerri Mitchell, whosemother’s were both diagnosed withcancer, founded the Beloved Foun-dation.

While Mitchell was caring for hermother -- who was receiving med-ication for pain, but not for cancertreatment -- Miller needed assis-tance as well, Talbert-Miller said.“You never know when you’llfind yourself in this position,” shesaid, noting her own family historywith the disease. “So I put her onpayroll at my bridal shop and senther home to care for her mother.“It was what needed to be done.” Due to the magnitude of care nec-essary, Talbert-Miller saw a need tohelp others struggling financially,as medical and daily expenses pileup when care is sought.The organization provides finan-cial assistance for families for twomonths, with funds going directlyto pay hospital bills, rent, utilitiesand service providers.Proceeds to help those in need arefunded through grants, fundraisingefforts such as the gown sale andthe annual Masquerade For a Mis-sion Gala held annually in Febru-

ary, and private donations.The shop, which is open by ap-pointment only, also raises fundsyear-round for the organization’smission, Talbert-Miller said.The Foundation not only contin-ues to do the work it does throughfunds raised, but also dozens of vol-unteers who donate time to help runthe shop and the organization’sevents, she added.Volunteer opportunities are avail-able year-round.On Oct. 8, the Beloved Founda-tion will be participating in the 6th

annual Believe Walk set in down-town Redlands. The event, sponsored by StaterBros. Charities and the InlandWomen Fighting Cancer organiza-tion, benefits Inland Empire organ-izations dedicated to supportingcancer patients and their families.Beloved will be passing out waterbottles to participants and are inneed of volunteers to assist duringthe event.To learn more, visit belovedfoun-dation.com or call 877-323-9762.

IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ

Jessie Blyler was among dozens of women who attended Beloved Couture’s bridal sample saleSaturday. The sale offered designer dresses at a marked down price to benefit the Beloved Foun-dation, a nonprofit providing financial assistance to those with cancer.

IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ

Beloved Couture in Redlands held a bridal sample sale Aug. 3. The sale offered designer dressesat a marked down price to benefit the Beloved Foundation, a nonprofit providing financial assis-tance to those with cancer.

IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ

Jessie Blyler tries on a wedding gown at Beloved Couture inRedlands during the shops annual sample sale benefitting theBeloved Foundation.

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