By Jazmine Montoya

Reporter

The Brides Against Breast Cancer foundation brought its Tour of Gowns back to Bakersfield for the second time to the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in order to raise money for those who are affected by breast cancer.

BABC, which is now run out from Sarasota, Fla., is a national foundation that was started in 1999 and has been active ever since.

The foundation travels the U.S. selling new and gently used wedding gowns from a variety of designers, including couture pieces.

After 14 years of only traveling up and down the West Coast of California, BABC has expanded its tours, which started from 35 cities a year and is now up to 120

Now ihitting up to four cities a weekend at the most.

“It’s crazy! But it’s fun,” said tour manager Mya Widmyer.

Widmyer was on-site at the event, helping brides choose the dresses they get to wear when they say “I do,” while helping out a good cause in the process.

The average dress price is $600. The prices of the dresses range from $99 to $3,500 and up.

Layaway is also available if needed, as well as a 20% discount given to active military and reserves.

Gowns are able to fit sizes 0 to 24.

Accessories such as tiaras and veils of all sizes are also sold at the events.

The prices for those items start from $25 are also available, as well as bridesmaids dresses and mother of the bride dresses.

Bride-to-be Jessica Lindsay did her part to help out those affected by breast cancer by purchasing a gown at the event. “I was watching the news yesterday with my grandma when I heard about this, and I knew I had to come check it out for myself,” Lindsay said.

Seventy-one percent of the proceeds go back to those impacted by cancer, which also includes using proceeds to fund free programs for not only patients, but their families and caregivers as well so they aren’t burdened by the extra cost.

Widmyer believes she is making a difference.

“It’s something bigger than me,” said Widmyer.

“Although I have not been affected personally with cancer I still feel like this is an amazing cause.

“I’m making a difference by every gown that I can sell.

“Every vendor opportunity I can sell, every ticket I can sell goes toward helping that many more people.”

A few vendors also attended the event to offer their services to wedding parties for the big day.

Among those local bakery and boutique Tastries, which specialize in wedding cakes, SK Entertainment, which provided DJs; and C & B Photography, which specialize in wedding photos.

Widmyer said BABC plans to be back to Bakersfield and is always looking for volunteers in every city they go to help out with events.

All the information is located on their website at www.bridesabc.org and can be accessed at anytime.

Detailed information regarding the event can also be found at the website listed above, as well as email adresses of people involved with the project and vendors.