In response to the fire that destroyed Eva’s Bridals of Chicagoland suburb Oak Lawn on 11/17, WGN Radio launched a campaign on its Facebook page to help connect brides-to-be that had lost their gowns with women willing to lend their old wedding dresses to those in need.
The idea unfolded the morning following the fire during the Greg Jarrett show, which happened to be broadcasting live the next day from Palermo’s in Oak Lawn as part of the WGN Radio Hometown Voices Tour – right across the street from the now destroyed Eva’s Bridals location.
The response from listeners was overwhelming. To date, over 160 dresses and counting have been posted to facebook.com/wgnradio from women hoping to lend a hand – or more appropriately, a dress – to those in need.
During the station’s Hometown Voices broadcast on 11/19 from Palermo’s – whose party room had also become Eva’s Bridals temporary location – Greg Jarrett spoke with Eva’s Bridals owner Rhonia Ghusein. She stated: “The donations, the city, Palermo’s, everybody has been incredible. We appreciate it so much… it warms my heart to know there are people like that out there.”
RBR-TVBR observation: Jenny Stephen, WGN spokesperson, told RBR-TVBR that Eva’s had absolutely no ties to the station for advertising, nor did Palermo’s. Now, both entities got a heck of a lot of publicity over the event and it’s pure goodwill for the station. Going the extra effort for a local business, such as the case is here, can mean a lot when AE’s pay a visit to a current or potential radio advertiser.
(Jackie Paulus / November 19, 2010)
Ronia Ghusein, owner of Eva’s Bridals in Oak Lawn, spoke with Greg Jarrett about the tragic fire that destroyed her store just two days before – right across the street from Palermo’s. She described the outpouring of support from the community as overwhelming, including the over 100 dresses that WGN Radio listeners offered to donate to the brides in need on WGN Radio’s Facebook page.
