Operation Prom Dress needs gowns, accessories

It all began in 2010 when one young lady in Centerville’s Epiphany Lutheran Church’s youth group was unable to attend her prom because she couldn’t afford a dress.

“The very next day my friend and I decided that if there was one girl, there were many,” says Tonya Johns, co-founder of Operation Prom Dress. “We went straight to work planning. We got the word out that we would be collecting special occasion dresses and accessories and the community responded.”

Since that time an estimated 800 teens have benefited from the grassroots project with more than 2,000 prom dresses collected. They are distributed each March, with local businesses donating food and items for door prizes. In addition to the annual special event , the project also serves young ladies by appointment throughout the year. This year’s event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 18.

“We also found hair dressers and makeup artists who volunteered their time to make the young ladies who attended feel special,” Johns says. “That first year we had one faithful volunteer who did minor alterations on the spot! We ended the day by sending each young lady home with a Bible because at Epiphany we follow the mission statement ‘We Love Jesus By Serving Others.’ Operation Prom Dress is just one of the many ways we fulfill that mission.”

These days nearly 150 volunteers are involved in the project and shoes, handbags and jewelry are also given out. “One of the young ladies who we served that first year is now a volunteer,” says Johns.

After a light breakfast on the day of the event, girls choose a dress, shoes and accessories. They’re treated to a mini-makeover, have their picture taken by a professional photographer and end the day with prayer.

Here’s what they need:

  • Special occasion dresses, especially sizes 14-30.
  • Shoes
  • Handbags
  • Jewelry
  • Food is needed the day of the event for a light breakfast and lunch.
  • Local businesses are asked to donate door prizes such as salon services, restaurant gift cards, florists, home-based business gift baskets and other items.
  • Service professionals for the day of the event are needed: specifically hair dressers, makeup artists and alteration professionals.
  • Monetary donations purchase Bibles, special-sized dresses and food.
  • Behind-the-scenes volunteers work on the project before the event.

Donations can be dropped off at Epiphany Lutheran Church, Far Hills Campus, located at 6430 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, 45459 or contact Tonya Johns at OPD@epiphanydayton.org or call ( 937) 433-1449, ext. 118.


HELPING OUR COMMUNITY

Each week staff writer Meredith Moss profiles a non-profit organization in our community in need of specific items.

If your group would like to publish its wish list, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com

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