Program offers free prom dresses to high schoolers

By: Laurel Lederman

Posted: 4/18/06

04/18/06 - For North Kingstown High School students wishing to go to their prom or homecoming dance but can't afford a dress, they should look no further.

Please Recycle Old Memories, run by Erin West, an admissions counselor at the University of Rhode Island, is holding its third annual formalwear clothing drive.

The goal of PROM is to encourage college students to donate old prom dresses to the local high school to help with the cost of the expensive evening.

Tuxedo companies have recently jumped on the bandwagon, donating to the male students of North Kingstown High School.

"We pick a date at the high school and set up shop," West said. "Young ladies can try them [the dresses] on. The girls have fun and giggle a lot."

West added that the program is not completely need-based.

"We don't turn away girls who can afford dresses. It's open to everyone," West said.

The idea for PROM started when West was an undergraduate student at URI.

"My mom works for North Kingstown High School and she and her fellow faculty member, Cindy Norman, discussed the need for formal dresses for the girls," West said.

She added, "A girl approached them because she was upset that she couldn't afford to go so my mom took her to get a dress. I thought it was crazy because we could have easily just given her one of mine from all the formals and proms I have attended."

PROM has been promoted by flyers sent to the Panhellenic Council and the Admissions Office. Student Entertainment Committee member Sulina Mohanty is helping West with publicity.

According to West, the program gives away 50 to 60 dresses each year.

"The girls always send pictures of themselves in the dresses. Some have even donated the dresses back to us," West said.

She added, "It makes me feel connected to the community. The dresses let the girls have the experience they want, but can't always afford."

PROM has been a success from the start, collecting 300 dresses its first year and 200 its second year, West said.

West decided to take on PROM because of its simplicity.

"It's a simple project," West said. "It doesn't take a lot of hours, it's just donating what you have."

"Philanthropy and charity isn't just about giving money. It's about using your own resources," she added.