Texas Hill Country’s Fairy Godmother

Photos by April Bogus

To some, a prom dress may be trivial. Lots of fabric, typically in a bright and shiny color, some rhinestones and a zipper is all they see. I can tell you from personal experience, that a prom dress can turn even the most shy and uncertain girl into a princess or even a queen. Not only for one night, the experience of having a dress she feels beautiful and confident in can give her confidence for the rest of her life.

That’s where Keri Byer and Kathy Bradshaw come in.

Kathy Bradshaw and Keri Byer

Keri founded Austin Fairy Godmother 10 years ago to give girls that little extra boost of confidence. She not only provides low cost formal dresses, but all of the accompanying accessories like shoes, handbags, and jewelry, for prom or any big event they may have coming up. Keri believes that everyone deserves a little magic in their lives, and she’s just the Fairy Godmother to help make that happen.

With Keri’s help, Kathy Bradshaw of Nettie Pearl’s Closet, is taking that same spirit of giving on the road – providing free prom dresses to Central Texas girls who may not otherwise be able to afford a dress of their own.

Keri has provided her giant pink truck filled to the brim with over 500 beautiful gowns to Kathy, so she may reach as many girls in Central Texas as possible by hitting the road.

Both Austin Fairy Godmother and Nettie Pearl’s Closet are nonprofit foundations, which run solely on volunteers and donations. The cost to provide one girl the prom dress of her dreams, along with all accompanying accessories is $50. If you’re interested in volunteering or making a girl’s prom dreams come true by sponsoring her, please contact Kathy Bradshaw or Keri Byer and let them know you’d like to help.

All financial donations are tax exempt, and volunteers are always welcome and needed at the Austin Fairy Godmother Boutique located at 10303 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander, TX 78641.