Miss Universe Contestant Donates Her Sherri Hill Evening Dress to a Struggling Single Mother

Although Miss Bulgaria 2016, Violina Ancheva, didn’t take home the crown at the 65th Miss Universe pageant Sunday night, she still managed to make headlines around the globe — for a very different and inspiring reason.

Ancheva decided to graciously gift her Miss Universe gown, a blue Sherri Hill ensemble featuring a full skirt and a crop top, to a teen in a need of a prom dress.

She posted a message on Facebook to her followers in the Philippines, where the pageant was held, urging someone in need of the dress to send her a personal message. “Dear friends, I would like to give as a present my Miss Universe Gown (on the picture) to one of you that really want it and need it. I want to give the dress to a girl in need that can’t buy a dress for her prom the next month,” she wrote.

She also directed users to act fast, as she was leaving the country soon after posting the message. “Please write to me a personal message for details. I am leaving soon, so please hurry up,” she captioned the image of her wearing the dress during the competition.

The post received more than 13,000 comments, with many sharing personal stories and detailing why they wanted the dress. The lucky recipient? Fifteen-year-old Zyra Nicole Cifra, the daughter of a single mother of two, Issay Gallano.

Cifra’s mother sent a message to Ancheva, as she could not afford to buy her daughter a dress, and was shocked to receive a response. “I was checking my SSS (Social Security System) already so I can buy her a dress because she really wanted a memorable prom this year. And then this necklace I’m ready to pawn this just to add to the budget,” Gallano told CNN Philippines on the steps she was prepared to take to attempt to buy her daughter a dress.

Ancheva and Gallano met up to exchange the dress, and CNN captured a sweet moment of the women embracing.

“I know how she feels and I’m happy I gave it to you, and your daughter will have the best dress of the evening,” Ancheva told Gallano during the meeting, according to CNN.

The women also took a selfie together during the meeting, which Gallano uploaded to Facebook.

Gallano later posted an image of her daughter wearing the exquisite dress, which she appeared to love.

“Thank you so much Miss Bulgaria. You have a beautiful heart. We wish you all the best. God bless you and your family,” she captioned the image of her daughter.

As much as the mother and daughter were touched by the gesture, Miss Bulgaria was also impacted as well. “This is probably the most beautiful thing that I have ever done for somebody, the most touching thing,” Ancheva said.

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