- Paul Tumlin
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KISSIMMEE, Fla.– An AdventHealth team member is finding a unique way to care for her community – body, mind and spirt – even though she doesn’t have a clinical role at AdventHealth Kissimmee, the hospital where she works. Marie Santos is an executive assistant at the campus. She is collecting prom dresses to donate to teens in need.
Santos is the fairy godmother to many Cinderellas in the Osceola County community through her organization Bibidi Bobbidi Prom. The idea came to her when her daughter, Jessica, began competing in pageants. Instead of tossing away the accumulated dresses, they decided to donate the gowns to local high school students who could not afford prom dresses.
“When you look good, you feel good, and [when] your self-esteem is positive that gives you the confidence to have a better outlook on life,” Santos said.
Over the last four years, Santos has donated hundreds of dresses to students in Osceola County. She says it helps teens realize that no matter their circumstances, they are worthy of feeling beautiful.
In addition to the dresses, Santos’ group provides jewelry, shoes and makeup to the students.
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