FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 19, 2014) -- A new boutique opened for the Families of 194th Armored Brigade to borrow dresses for formal events.

Kathleen's Kloset is a dress-lending shop founded by Army spouse, Krissy Wagner, and sponsored by the 194th Battle Hard Organization for the Families of the 194th Armor Bde.

At Kathleen's Kloset, Family members can borrow dresses to wear to their formal event for a $50 deposit. Following the event, the dress must be professionally dry-cleaned and returned to Kathleen's Kloset with a receipt from the dry cleaners. Upon return of the dress and proof of it being dry-cleaned, the deposit will be refunded.

"Right now we're starting small, it is for the 194th Families, but we're hoping that one day we can go post wide," Wagner said.

The idea came about in honor of Wagner's mother, Kathleen Griesbaum. Wagner said her mother was a military spouse for 22 years. In memory of her mother, Wagner decided to start a dress-lending closet.

"My mother never attended a function, but always ensured that I attended proms, homecomings and military formals after I was married," Wagner said. "Kathleen's Kloset is my way of saying 'thanks Mom,' and to ensure other military spouses can attend these events."

Dresses are obtained by donation, and Wagner said she is overwhelmed at the number of dresses that keep coming in, noting the boutique currently has over 300 dresses.

"When it was a small idea, we started saying 'hey, we're going to get together and do this,' and the dresses just started pouring in," she said. "It's an emotional event because I didn't think it was going to happen like this."

When Kathleen's Kloset first started, Wagner said she and a few others would meet donors on post or in nearby areas to pick up the dresses, but since then it has "really taken off," she said.

Boxes with dresses have come in from as far as Colorado Springs, Colorado, and St. Louis, Missouri, she said, noting she receives more dresses every couple of days.

Kathleen's Kloset now has everything from father-daughter dresses to dresses for 24 month olds and up to large adult-size formal dresses. Wagner said they have even had some "really gorgeous" shoes donated.

Wagner said the boutique has received three or four wedding dresses, which they handle differently. Someone who would have interest in one of the wedding dresses would have an option to keep the dress with the hope that one day they would pay it forward and perhaps pass the dress on to someone else.

Teresa Birmingham, spouse of a Soldier in the 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry Regiment, helps in running Kathleen's Kloset on Saturdays. She said it is the hope for each battalion to help in running the boutique on the weekend before their formal events.

"It just makes common sense," Birmingham said. "Why spend $200 on a formal dress when you can find a perfectly good one that's been worn once for free? It's not just the for the needy, it's for everyone."

Wagner said she received a lot of support from Col. Scott King, commander of the 194th Armor Bde., and his wife, Debbie.

"We believe Kathleen's Kloset is a great way of embracing our Families and providing them a feasible opportunity to participate in espirit de corps events like unit formal balls," King said. "We really appreciate the efforts of Krissy Wagner in organizing these effort for all of our Families in the 194th Brigade and Teresa Birmingham in working with the Battle Hard Brigade private organization to assist in making this a reality. We are also are thankful for the many organizations off post that are supporting our Families by donating goods to Kathleen's Kloset."

Since the opening of Kathleen's Kloset Nov. 1, the boutique has lent a few dresses, but Wagner said she anticipates more soon.

"To see a dream become a reality is a huge deal, especially as an Army wife," Wagner said. "It's just wonderful to impact somebody else that maybe some day will be able to pay it forward."

For information on Kathleen's Kloset, or to find out how to donate, email kathleenskloset194@gmail.com.