SEATTLE'S MORNING NEWS

New England woman becomes ‘fairy godmother’

Jan 25, 2018, 10:15 AM | Updated: Oct 1, 2024, 7:39 am

Cinderella’s transformation isn’t just a Disney story. There’s a real-life fairy godmother for girls in New England.

Betty Vitale started Tammi’s Closet and hands out hundreds of prom dresses every year to girls who otherwise would not be able to afford them.

She does it in memory of her daughter, who was killed in a car accident in 1996.

“If somebody had ever told me that someday I would be giving dresses away and smiling about it in memory of my daughter,” Vitale trailed off. “But here I am.”

Not only is her gift of dresses an act of Kindness, but the community stepped in with acts of kindness when, last year, thieves stole about 15 dresses from her. When news got out about the theft, 900 dresses were donated.

She’s raising money now to buy a small store so she can do this year-round.

If you have a Daily Dose of Kindness to share with Colleen, email her at cobrien@kiroradio.com.

You can hear Colleen O’Brien’s “Daily Dose of Kindness” segment every morning at 7:30 a.m. on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM.

sea lions...

Charlie Harger

Harger: I love sea lions. Some of them have to die, or $7 billion in salmon recovery goes in their adorable bellies

I love sea lions. I've put this off for years and I hate saying it, but some sea lions gotta die.

10 minutes ago

amber alert kennewick kidnap...

Frank Sumrall

Amber Alert suspect surrenders after kidnapping 4-year-old daughter in Kennewick

After a week on the run, Amber Alert suspect Matthew Susmilch has surrendered himself to authorities.

39 minutes ago

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the Association...

Associated Press

Rubio says any nuclear agreement the US signs will not lead to nuclear proliferation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is expected to sign an agreement with Saudi Arabia as early as Wednesday that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says any deal signed by the U.S. would not lead to proliferation. The deal — confirmed […]

1 hour ago

missing vulnerable person kent...

Frank Sumrall

Kent police searching for vulnerable adult missing since July 12

The Kent Police Department issued a "missing vulnerable adult" alert after a resident went missing in early July.

1 hour ago

Associated Press

FBI chief hold talks in Cambodia over closer security cooperation to combat online scam crimes

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — FBI Director Kash Patel held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Wednesday on joint efforts to combat international online scam operations that cheat victims out of billions of dollars each year. A report issued Tuesday by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime estimated that scams caused […]

2 hours ago

Gold-colored Presidential seals are seen on a fireplace in the Oval Office as President Donald Trum...

Associated Press

The Latest: Trump will attend dignified transfer of 4 US service members killed in the Middle East

The United States and Iran exchanged fire across the Middle East on Wednesday, overshadowing diplomatic efforts in Pakistan to salvage an interim ceasefire deal that has collapsed. President Donald Trump plans to attend the dignified transfer of four more service members who were killed in action. Republicans are pushing a Pete Hegseth faced fiery questions […]

2 hours ago

New England woman becomes ‘fairy godmother’