Our Mission
Helping to bring happy memories to families in need for the holidays.
We aim to help eliminate financial burden on families, offer a sense of normalcy during a difficult time, and encourage creativity and imagination for a hopeful future!
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Our Start
Help bring Halloween to the Houses.
100% of Profits are dedicated to our contributing families facing illness or crisis.
The idea originated when Daniela Galdi, Founder of Dress Up The House, began donating years of once worn costumes to good will. As a child, she repurposed dance recital costumes to make Halloween costumes. This was a more affordable option and a way to use her creativity and imagination, which is at the heart of the organization's mission for the caregivers and parents. Her love for dressing up at Halloween, giving back, and the Ronald McDonald House's mission prompted her to start the drive in 2016. Since then, her efforts with the loving support and help of volunteers have collected over hundreds of costumes for families and raised thousands in funds from individual and business donors.
Funding is now raised to assist in purchasing NEW, UNOPENED Halloween-related items and Costumes for the families at the Houses. Participating Houses and their families are able to request costumes and related-items for their families. After these items are fulfilled, any additional contributions go towards providing Wish List items for participating Houses, hosting Guest Chef groups, events and classes for the families at local Houses.
How We Help
A special and stress-free experience for all.
Donation drives are only one division of our purpose. Dress Up The House holds events and activities as well. In the past, we have coordinated educational and group activities at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (1). This includes arts & crafts activity events, live performances, face painting and classes. We love to tie together arts and fun for the families to build happy memories.
With our mission, we are able to help caregivers or parents who may not have the time or resources to plan out activities or make purchases over the holidays due to their circumstances. We aim to make it a special and stress-free experience for them as well as the RMH employees and all volunteers or donors participating in our program.
Over The Years
2021
6th Annual Costume Donation Drive
In 2021, we raised over $4000 to purchase new Halloween Costumes & Accessories for the families at their request from Philadelphia (House 1), New Jersey, Delaware, Las Vegas and Kansas City Houses.
Poshmark Shop Opens
In an effort of sustainability, we opened a Poshmark Shop to sell new and used costumes that were not able to be donated to the Houses. 100% of profits go towards our upcoming drive.
2020
5th Annual Costume Donation Drive
In 2020, we raised over $3000 to purchase new Halloween Costumes & Accessories for the families at their request from Philadelphia (House 1), New Jersey, Delaware, Las Vegas and Kansas City Houses.
2019
Support During Covid-19
Funding was raised to send boxes of snacks, drinks and household items to the Chestnut Street Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House to help restock their pantry during the pandemic.
4th Annual Costume Donation Drive
In 2019, we raised over $5000 to purchase new Halloween Costumes & Accessories for the families at their request from Philadelphia (House 1 & 2), Las Vegas and Kansas City Houses. Contributions also went towards a Guest Chef dinner event at the Chestnut Street Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.
2018
3rd Annual Costume Donation Drive
For 2018's drive, we added 4 more Houses to receive costumes and donations! Over 300 new, unopened costumes were sent to Philadelphia (Houses 1 & 2), New Jersey, Kansas City, Delaware, and Las Vegas Houses.
2017
2nd Annual Costume Donation Drive
In 2017, the second annual costume drive tripled in quantity and over 300 costumes and accessories were distributed between the Chestnut Street (1) and Front & Erie (2) Houses in Philadelphia. Our founder also hosted a dance class for the children at the House.
2016
1st Annual Costume Donation Drive
In 2016, the first annual costume drive collaborated with the Chestnut Street House location in Philadelphia providing nearly 100 costumes and accessories. Our founder also provided a professional dance and theater Halloween-inspired performance for the families at the House.