Operation Ball Gown (Photo by Operation Ball Gown)
This year, Operation Ball Gown, a community program offering ball gowns for SOFA-status service members, is excited to launch its first formal shoe drive in hopes of eventually offering free shoe rentals beginning next ball season.
Community members are encouraged to donate gently used formal shoes and gowns at the Okinawa Enlisted Spouses’ Club Thrift Store and Uncle Sam’s Attic at Kadena Air Base through May 31.
“Our goal has always been bigger than dresses,” Operation Ball Gown Coordinator Ashley Chavez said. “We want every person who walks through our doors to feel beautiful, confident, and supported by their community.”
As the program prepares for another busy formal season, Operation Ball Gown hopes to continue spreading awareness across all military installations on Okinawa so that more families can benefit from the growing resource.
“We are always accepting donations and always looking for ways to grow,” Chavez added. “We want everyone to know there is a place on this island where they can come feel celebrated for their special moments.”
Operation Ball Gown was founded in 2022 and started as a small closet of donated dresses inside the Camp Foster USO. It has grown into one of Okinawa’s most meaningful community programs for military families. Today, Operation Ball Gown proudly offers more than 400 formal gowns and cocktail dresses to SOFA-status service members and their families across the island — completely free of charge.
Operated entirely by volunteers from the Okinawa Enlisted Spouses Club board, Operation Ball Gown runs twice weekly by appointment and hosts public and private pop-up events throughout the year during military ball season, prom, homecoming, galas, and school dances.
The process is simple: eligible SOFA-status members may borrow a gown free of charge up to 30 days before an event. The only requirement is that the dress be professionally dry cleaned and returned within two weeks after the event date.
Beyond providing an affordable option for formalwear, the program has become a place where lasting memories are made.
“Whether it’s friends spending the evening trying on dresses together or a mother watching her daughter find the perfect gown for prom, these are special moments,” Chavez explained. “With very few shops carrying American dress sizes on Okinawa, this program fills an important need for our community.”
The success of the program relies heavily on community generosity. Operation Ball Gown receives most of its dresses through donations from the Kadena Thrift Store and Uncle Sam’s Attic, whose staff members work closely with volunteers to help select gowns for the inventory. The program currently carries sizes 00–28 and continues to expand its collection to ensure every individual can feel confident and included.
Things to know
Ashley (left) and Liz (right) of Okinawa Enlisted Spouse Club (Photo by Operation Ball Gown)
Operation Ball Gown (Photo by Operation Ball Gown)