Posted 9:55 pm Monday, February 22, 2010
Group Gathers Prom Items For Disadvantaged Girls
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
The magic of prom night resonates with some women years after the event. Thoughts of picking out that special dress, getting pampered and dancing the night away with peers conjure up a time in their lives when life was more innocent and more simple. For some girls, that special night may be out of reach, as the cost of a dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories easily can add up to hundreds of dollars.
Staff Writer
The magic of prom night resonates with some women years after the event. Thoughts of picking out that special dress, getting pampered and dancing the night away with peers conjure up a time in their lives when life was more innocent and more simple. For some girls, that special night may be out of reach, as the cost of a dress, shoes, jewelry and other accessories easily can add up to hundreds of dollars.
Henderson resident Sherry Price said she believes that even girls who cannot afford those items still should be able to feel like a princess for a day. That's what she had in mind when she started Prom Princess Project, a non-profit organization charged with providing young girls with formal dresses, shoes and accessories. She's turned hardly worn dresses that were hidden in closets into an opportunity for disadvantaged girls.
About two years ago, Mrs. Price placed an ad in a newspaper to sell her two daughters' prom dresses. The personal story of a foster mom who wanted to buy the dresses compelled Mrs. Price to let the dresses go for free.
"I decided then and there that we needed something in Rusk County for girls and families who couldn't afford to have dresses and accessories to go to their dances," she said. "Having two girls, I know that it's a night that they will always remember. They will remember their dress; they'll remember their friends and how much fun they had. It's just a teenage experience I think every girl should remember. I can't imagine my girls not being able to go to their dance."
A volunteer helps tailor a girl’s dress during the Prom Princess Project earlier this month.
She added, "I didn't want any girl to feel like they couldn't go because they couldn't afford it. With the economy like it is, there are families that are being laid off. I'd rather they pay their bills and pay for their house and get food and medicine than have to worry about getting a dress."
A COMMUNITY CAUSE
By October 2009, Mrs. Price and other community members met each month to usher in donations for local girls and exchange ideas about the project.
Some of the 240-plus dresses donated as part of the prom project are displayed.
"It snowballed from there," she said. "We ended up with 240 dresses and accessories."
Some dresses were new; others have been worn only once. The total value of all dresses donated runs well into the thousands of dollars -- not to mention donated shoes, jewelry and other accessories.
Donated shoes are sorted for display as part of the Prom Princess Project earlier this month.
About 40 volunteers, along with service clubs, businesses and alteration professionals contributed to the cause. They've received anonymous donations for advertising, and a storage facility was donated. Earlier this month, they distributed dresses to local girls at a vacant office space, which was transformed into a boutique for the event. Girls roamed between stations, picking out their dresses and accessories, getting on-site alterations and got a chance to win prizes for their special night.
"We wanted them to feel like princesses," Mrs. Price said. "It went really smoothly. All of the girls were really happy. It was just a moving experience for everybody involved. When the girls would leave with the dress, everybody would stop what they were doing and start clapping."
Volunteer Melody Smiley got involved with the event after she heard about the work Mrs. Price was doing. She said it is rewarding to see a girl matched with what seems to be the perfect dress.
"The looks on their faces -- you can tell they were so excited," Mrs. Smiley said. "Some of these dresses are amazing. It's almost like it was made for them. It fit their personalities."
EXPANSION
With the success of the event, the owner of the space where they held their initial event offered an additional week rent-free, and the group gave away 60 more dresses.
Last week, the organization gave 150 dresses to Gifted and Talented students at Pine Tree Middle School. The students there are collecting the dresses for girls in the foster-care system.
"It teaches the kids a lesson in giving and giving back to your community," Mrs. Price said.
Mrs. Price said she hopes the annual event will get bigger and better, with a goal of expanding to surrounding counties. Next year, the organization may add tuxedos and accessories for young men, she said.
"It just took this whole community to do it," Mrs. Price said. I knew that Rusk County would step up because they always do. It was everything that I expected. Even if we just served one girl, it would be a success."
Mrs. Smiley said as word of mouth quickly spread, she looks forward to next year's events.
"I'm glad I was able to be a part of it and I look forward to it next year. A lot of people know about it now, and I know it'll just grow. There's no reason why the economy should keep people from having a good time."
The Prom Princess Project still is accepting dresses, shoes and accessories. For more information or to donate, call Sherry Price at 903-404-0304.
