dressbarn Creates Special "Mom"-ents This Mother's Day For Hundreds of Underprivileged Families

SUFFERN, N.Y., May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating special moments with one's mother will be the focus of a two-week-long effort by dressbarn, but the national womenswear retailer is also hoping to create fond new memories for scores of underprivileged families this Mother's Day.

The company's "To Mom, with Love" program will bring hundreds of children into local dressbarn stores across the country where they will be given $50 gift cards to shop for their mothers.  dressbarn is teaming up with local community groups and after-school programs to identify and host the children who might otherwise not be able to afford a Mother's Day present.

And though Mother's Day is officially only one day, dressbarn realizes that special "mom"-ents happen throughout a lifetime.  So to celebrate moms and motherhood, dressbarn invites women to share a special "mom"-ent – whether a story, picture or video – on www.yourdressbarn.com/moment.  Maybe that special mom moment was holding your hand on the first day of school, or how she taught you to wear makeup, or simply stayed up late one night telling you stories.

Friends, families and others are invited to go online and vote for their favorite "mom"-ent posted.  The 10 entries receiving the most votes will each receive a luxury spa prize package for the winner and a guest.

"It's those indelible memories, occasions and precious times spent with your mom that makes you realize how great she is and how fortunate you are to have someone like her.  We want to share these memories with other women and other moms so that we can all celebrate the greatness of mothers," said Vivian Behrens, senior vice president, chief marketing officer at dressbarn.

The company's "To Mom, with Love" program is working with more than 125 local organizations to bring deserving children into a dressbarn a day or two before Mother's Day, May 13.  In total, more than 1,250 children will be given a dressbarn gift card to pick out a new dress, shirt, shoes, jewelry or anything else in the store for their mother. 

"This Mother's Day, we're working to make it possible for families that otherwise may not be able to afford a gift, to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and unique contributions that every mom makes to a home," said Behrens.  "And at the same time, we're taking the time to celebrate, remember and honor that special woman in our lives who too often goes unrecognized."

About dressbarn
dressbarn, a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group Inc. (NASDAQ -- ASNA), is a leading national women's specialty apparel retailer offering quality casual, career and special occasion fashions. dressbarn stores carry styles in sizes 4 to 24, as well as shoes and accessories. Today, dressbarn operates more than 830 stores in 48 states.  For store information and to shop online, visit dressbarn.com.

SOURCE dressbarn