PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Bless with a Dress is a local non-profit that collects new and gently used wedding and prom dresses. Once a year, they open their doors and let any teen or bride-to-be come and pick out a dress for free. It was started about six years ago by Leah Armstrong and Annie Davis. The two have been best friends since they were five-years-old.<\/p>\n
Leah was nominated for a visit from the Arizona\u2019s Family Surprise Squad by her supervisor at Desert Mission Honor Health, Haeli Miceli. \u201cShe is exactly what her charity exemplifies,\u201d Haeli told Arizona\u2019s Family\u2019s Susan Casper. \u201cSharing her heart, her love, and taking care of our community members.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Surprise Squad crew, along with Annie and her family and friends of Leah, waited outside her workplace while Haeli went to get her. Leah thought they were just going across the street to grab something for lunch. She was speechless when she walked out and saw everyone standing there.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour good friend Haeli nominated you and told us all about your beautiful non-profit Bless with a Dress.\u201d Susan told Leah. \u201cToday, on behalf of your Valley Toyota Dealers, we are blessing you with $5,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
Annie said they were both so thankful. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be doing this for the rest of our lives, and this just really builds a beautiful foundation for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two ladies took the Surprise Squad to their newest storage unit, where they keep all their dresses. As their charity keeps growing, the two of them have braced to pay for things like the storage unit, rental trucks, signage, and other event costs. But the gift from the Surprise Squad will cover them well into the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just see the tears and the happiness for that bride or that teen and their family,\u201d Annie said. \u201cMost of us are crying along with them because it\u2019s just great that we can offer this to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
As this latest Surprise Squad moment came to a close, Haeli shared her thoughts on Leah. \u201cLeah Armstrong is heart. Leah Armstrong is joy. Leah Armstrong is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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