Dream Dress Giveaway Winners
Hear the inspirational stories from the recipients of Robin's Oscar dresses.
June 29, 2009 — -- It was a party like none other, so Robin Roberts had to wear just the right dress for the Oscars bash this year. While she had some gorgeous choice to pick from, she needed your help to pick between her final three.
More than 7,000 of you wrote in with your opinions before the winner was announced. After the party, though, "Good Morning America" asked viewers to send in stories about people who deserved to have the final three dresses for themselves so Robin could pass the joy along.
Well you answered, and here are the three lucky recipients.
Olivia Stinson of Charlotte, N.C.
Down in Charlotte, N.C., Jackie Stinson sent "GMA" a letter about her 16-year-old daughter Olivia, describing how "from a very early age" Olivia worked to make other people's lives better.
A leader in her community, Olivia helps those in need by working at local food banks, shelters and nursing homes.
"Because of your giving spirit, I wanted to be able to give something back to you," Jackie wrote about her daughter. "You are an inspiration to me and so many others."
After Olivia was chosen to receive one of Robin's dresses, "GMA" mailed it to Jackie so she could surprise her daughter.
"I don't even know what to say, I'm speechless," Olivia said when she go the dress. "Putting the dress on for the first time, it was like magic. And wow, it just felt really great."
Ashley Benes of Tulsa, Okla.
Mary Benes of Tulsa, Okla., wrote us about her 23-year-old daughter, Ashley.
Ashley is about to enter her second year of graduate school at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where she's training to be an opera singer.
"I know you have always studied and worked very hard toward the dream of using your god-given talent," Mary wrote.
Ashley was astonished when she got the dress, but she quickly recovered and put it on to give it a trial run while she sang.
Monica Valent of El Paso, Texas
Monica Valent's husband, Sergeant Mikkal Valent, may be used to wearing military fatigues, but after he sent "GMA" a letter about his wife, he earned her one of Robin's beautiful gowns.
"Monica has gone through so much," Mikkal wrote. "I'm in the Army and was in an explosion that was caused by a vehicle IED. Just two days before the accident, we had found out that she was pregnant."
The couple had been married for almost a year, and Mikkal wanted to give her the dress as a thank you for standing by him through challenges like that one. Also, what else was she going to wear to the Military Ball coming up this fall?
"She has such a big heart. She is my hero. She is the air that I breathe, and I love her more than anything," Mikkal wrote.
Monica was overwhelmed when she got the dress, but at six months pregnant, it might be a while before she can show it off.
"This is very pretty," she said. "I just wish I could put it on... Yes, after the little one is born."
Mary Benes of Tulsa, Okla., wrote us about her 23-year-old daughter, Ashley.
Ashley is about to enter her second year of graduate school at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where she's training to be an opera singer.
"I know you have always studied and worked very hard toward the dream of using your god-given talent," Mary wrote.
Ashley was astonished when she got the dress, but she quickly recovered and put it on to give it a trial run while she sang.
Monica Valent of El Paso, Texas
Monica Valent's husband, Sergeant Mikkal Valent, may be used to wearing military fatigues, but after he sent "GMA" a letter about his wife, he earned her one of Robin's beautiful gowns.
"Monica has gone through so much," Mikkal wrote. "I'm in the Army and was in an explosion that was caused by a vehicle IED. Just two days before the accident, we had found out that she was pregnant."
The couple had been married for almost a year, and Mikkal wanted to give her the dress as a thank you for standing by him through challenges like that one. Also, what else was she going to wear to the Military Ball coming up this fall?
"She has such a big heart. She is my hero. She is the air that I breathe, and I love her more than anything," Mikkal wrote.
Monica was overwhelmed when she got the dress, but at six months pregnant, it might be a while before she can show it off.
"This is very pretty," she said. "I just wish I could put it on... Yes, after the little one is born."