Becca's Closet

In August 2003, 16-year-old Rebecca Kirtman – cheerleader, honor student, and well-loved friend and daughter – was killed in a tragic automobile accident just days before the start of her junior year. But what could have been merely a number added to the countless teen deaths each year became an opportunity to change the lives of countless high school girls across the country by providing them with dresses for prom and other formal occasions.

Before her death, Kirtman single-handedly collected more than 250 prom dresses to give to needy girls across South Florida. Later, in her memory, Kirtman’s friends and family carried on her vision in her memory, collecting more than 3,000 gowns in her home town of Pompano Beach, Florida.

“It was just very clear to me that I needed to do something to show how good Becca was,” said her father, Jay Kirtman.

The small school organization Kirtman started nearly a decade ago is now a federally certified charity – called Becca’s Closet in Kirtman’s honor – with a board of directors, student board, scholarship fund and web site. Additionally, the dress bank has expanded beyond Florida with active chapters in 32 states, including 4 Georgia locations.

In 2010, for her senior project, Creekview student Courtney N started her own local chapter with the help of Canton First United Methodist Church where the church’s youth room doubled as a storage room for the dresses.

Courtney was inspired to take on the project due to her own personal experience. While shopping for prom dresses with her friends, she fell in love with a purple Cinderella-style ball gown. Although the dress was not expensive, she felt guilty asking for the money as her mother had recently been laid off from work and the family had cut back on spending.

Overhearing her dilemma, another woman in the dressing room whom Courtney had never met provided the money to buy the dress.

“Prom is really important,” said Courtney, “And a lot of people don’t get to go.”
The generosity of a stranger to allow one girl to experience a rite of passage had a bigger impact than the woman likely ever intended.

The idea caught on quickly at Creekview, and when Courtney graduated last spring, senior Taylor S. quickly took over the project. The continued efforts of Creekview students have increasingly impacted the community in positive ways and Rebecca Kirtman’s dream continues to reach farther than she ever could have predicted.

For those interested in donating, Becca’s Closet accepts all clean dresses sizes 0-30 in good condition and current style (less than 5 years old). They also accept coordinating shoes, handbags, and accessories. Dresses can be dropped off at a local chapter or mailed to Becca’s Closet, Inc. at 151 North Nob Hill Road in Plantation, Florida. All donations are tax deductable.

written by: Emily Smoke