Let’s face it, we’re all too busy rocking flannel and Chucks and carefully cultivating a look of casual indifference to fashion to have use for a frilly dress or a nice suit. Instead of letting your nice clothing sit in mothballs though, why not donate it to a teen who needs to look good on prom night? Operation PROM is touching down in Brooklyn for the first time to collect dresses and gowns for those who may not have the time or the means to purchase their own.
Operation PROM, which is actually a Westchester-based organization, was founded in 2005 by Nicole D’Allaco because it’s not just the rent that’s too damn high, prices for prom tickets are also steadily increasing. I don’t know what your prom experience was like, but I remember that I (or rather, my parents) sure had to pay a lot of money to snag a ticket, find a dress, pay for a limo out of the suburbs, and buy my way into a comedy show, which I never made it to because I was too busy trying to make out with my date in the Tick Tock Diner.
The girls benefitting from Operation PROM, however, will likely be more exemplary students than that. “In order to receive a dress, students must be in good academic standing and receive an invitation from their school’s guidance counselor, social worker, or teacher to attend the dress drive,” explained Shaniqua Schloss, co-director of Operation PROM Brooklyn, to Patch. Girls will be able to try on dresses at the location and take them home on the spot.
I think we can all agree here that the point is for everyone to have the best experience possible. High school only happens once (thankfully), and no one deserves to miss out just because things are too expensive. Yep, we know that feeling.
Men’s formalwear will be accepted as well for those young gentlemen, and I guess young lesbians, without prom gear.
Those looking to donate can do so between now and March 31 at the following locations:
- Evolution The Green Room Salon, 442 Atlantic Ave., Tue: 12 – 7 p.m.
- Buffalo Exchange, 109 Boerum Pl.; Mon-Sat: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun: 12 – 6 p.m.
- Heights Cleaners, 137 Montague St.; Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- The Crown Heights Community Outreach Center, 467 Rutland Rd.; Mon – Fri: 3:30 – 6 p.m.
And if you know someone who fits the criteria, don’t forget to pass the info on like it’s juicy cafeteria gossip.