The heart-warming undertaking originated with Disney On Ice five years ago in an effort to allow every girl to “feel like a princess on her prom day.”
Amanda Burks, who handles special events for Clothes That Work, said more than 500 girls will attend this year’s distribution party in March. As you can imagine, it’s a giant undertaking. You can be a Fairy Godmother (or Godfather) to a local young woman by donating the formal dresses, accessories and shoes you are no longer using, volunteering or making a donation.
Here’s the Wish List:
- Short or long prom/teen appropriate dresses. Dresses in sizes 18 and above are always especially needed.
- Costume jewelry
- Formal shoes
- Evening purses
- Make-up samples
The organization can also use in-kind donations including stanchions, fans, long mirrors, jewelry display fixtures, gift certificates for salon services, dry cleaning, restaurants and other prom-related services.
For the event, the organization also needs in-kind donations of cookies, punch, cups, plates and napkins, balloon bouquets and other decorations as well as rolling racks, cleaning supplies (Febreeze, baby wipes, rubbing alcohol, Clorox wipes, lint brushes) and pipe and drape.
The dresses and accessories can be taken to Clothes That Work, (located in The Job Center, 1133 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd.) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month.
Your donations can also be taken to these area businesses from now through Feb. 28. Hours vary, so call ahead to arrange a drop-off time.
- Oakwood Florist, 2313 Far Hills Ave.
- The Envelope, Inc., 6131 Far Hills Ave.
- Lewisburg United Methodist Church, 3147 U.S. Route 40
- The Foodbank, 427 Washington St., Dayton
- Hannah's Treasure Chest, 124 Westpark Drive, Centerville.
- Square One Salon & Spa - Centerville, 1 N. Main St. Centerville.
- Square One Salon & Spa, 506 E. Third St., Dayton
The Security National Banks located in Springboro, Xenia and Springfield will be accepting the donations from Feb. 1 through March 1.
The Dayton Chapter of The Links conducts an online essay contest, with winners given additional prom goods: limousine transportation, dinners, hair and nail services, tuxedo rental for their dates, corsages and boutonnieres and more.
For more information on dress collection, distribution or the essay contest, visit www.clothesthatwork.org or contact Amanda Burks at (937) 222-3778, ext.150, or amanda.burks@clothesthatwork.org.
If you do not have a dress but want to support the event, you can make donations online at www.clothesthatwork.org (donate button is located on the homepage) or you can call (937) 222-3778, ext. 180.
If you have a couple of hours to help sort/steam dresses, please call (937) 222-3778, ext. 170.
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