Inland Empire Community Newspapers • August 8, 2013 • Page A5 Brides-to-be help benefit Beloved Foundation By Yazmin Alvarez J essie Blyler peaked her head out of a dressing room be- decked in yet another wed- ding gown. “What do you think?” she asked friend, Shannon Schmetzer, who joined Blyler for moral support on mission to find a perfect dress for the big day. “Wow, that one looks really good—it’s gorgeous,” Schmetzer said, as the bride-to-be smiled, nervously. In truth, they all looked spectacu- lar on Blyler. But the real jaw-dropper of the day—the price of the designer gowns. For two days only, Beloved Cou- ture Bridal in downtown Redlands reduced the price of its gowns, some in the thousands, from $200 to $800. A steal for a wedding dress, and a fraction of the retail price, com- mented Blyler as she skimmed the racks packed full with gowns - some beaded, some plain and some laced. The two-day sale, held Aug. 3 and 4, benefitted the Beloved Founda- tion, a nonprofit organization formed through the couture shop. The annual event brought out brides-to-be to stand in line as early as 6 a.m. in hopes of saying, “Yes to the dress.” Blyler, who missed the morning crowd and showed in the early af- ternoon of Aug. 3, had free range of the store. She knew all along that Beloved was where she wanted to find her dress. “Wedding dresses can get pretty pricey,” she said. “Knowing that, I’d rather spend the money here for the good that comes out of it.” Two friends, Jennifer Talbert- Miller and Kerri Mitchell, whose mother’s were both diagnosed with cancer, founded the Beloved Foun- dation. While Mitchell was caring for her mother -- who was receiving med- ication for pain, but not for cancer treatment -- Miller needed assis- tance as well, Talbert-Miller said. “You never know when you’ll find yourself in this position,” she said, noting her own family history with the disease. “So I put her on payroll at my bridal shop and sent her 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 to help others struggling financially, as medical and daily expenses pile up when care is sought. The organization provides finan- cial assistance for families for two months, with funds going directly to pay hospital bills, rent, utilities and service providers. Proceeds to help those in need are funded through grants, fundraising efforts such as the gown sale and the 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 funds year-round for the organization’s mission, Talbert-Miller said. The Foundation not only contin- ues to do the work it does through funds raised, but also dozens of vol- unteers who donate time to help run the shop and the organization’s events, 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 Stater Bros. Charities and the Inland Women Fighting Cancer organiza- tion, benefits Inland Empire organ- izations dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families. Beloved will be passing out water bottles to participants and are in need of volunteers to assist during the 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 sale Saturday. 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 dresses at 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 in Redlands during the shops annual sample sale benefitting the Beloved Foundation. Funerals are often too costly. A Solution is here. Quality Care at Affordable Prices Cremation or Burials Let us know how we can help. INLAND MEMORIAL FD1758 In the heart of Colton 900 Meridian Ave, Colton Ca. 92324 Located inside Hermosa Garden Cemetery Call Brenda 909-254-4100 (909) 234-4476 FD1731 738 S. Waterman Ave. San Bernardino on corner of Waterman & Central FINAL TRIBUTE FINAL TRIBUTE Funeral & Cremation Service We have five complete funeral packages, casket included! They are so Beautiful! DIRECT CREMATION $760. 00 COMPLETE