It's supposed to be the most magical night of a girl's life, but not every potential Cinderella can afford her prom. All that will change this week when a local fairy godmother will give away 400 gowns to prom queens in need.
Haverhill resident Carol Lanni kicked off the Priceless Prom Gown Program last year after learning that many students at Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover weren't attending their prom because of the associated costs.
"I'd get more excited about prom than the kids did. They'd say, 'I can't afford to go.' So I thought to myself, I have dresses in my closet and have friends who do, too," Lanni said. "I'm still a fledgling at organizing, so I'm very excited that I have other people who want to help me this year."
Any student who needs a prom dress can attend the giveaway Thursday in Methuen as long as she is accompanied by an adult. Once they are at the event, girls will make an appointment with a volunteer personal shopper. Each student can receive one dress, as well as accessories and makeup if available.
Dress donations this year came from local business owners, such as Christina's Bridal in Andover and Classic Couple in Haverhill, as well as local residents with deep closets.
Karla Dulin, owner of Tres Jolie Gifts in North Andover, maintained a donation drop-off box. Dulin's husband, Todd, encouraged a couple of students at North Andover High School to hang posters and make announcements during study hall.
"We rounded up about 50 dresses that were really beautiful," Karla Dulin said. "This was a very easy way to help out a great cause. It's a neat organization because I don't think most people really know that a lot of girls don't go to prom because they can't afford the dress."
John Anton's Cleaners in Andover not only maintained a collection box, but also cleaned at least 100 dresses for the giveaway. Chinku Galiney — owner of RSVP etc., a stationery store in North Andover — donated her services to create brochures, fliers and business cards. Other people — store owners, schoolteachers and Department of Social Services employees — helped spread the word.
Future donations are already pouring in from an unexpected place. Upon learning of the organization, a Rhode Island high schooler asked Lanni if her classmates could donate dresses from this year's prom as part of a senior class project. Lanni said it would be just fine.
"I come from a single-parent household and I know it's hard," Lanni said. "I had to borrow dresses to go to people's proms. Even for my eighth-grade graduation, I had to borrow a dress from my boyfriend's sister. For some people, a dress is a luxury."
PG1 BOX
If You Go
What: Gown Giveaway, sponsored by the Priceless Prom Gown Program
Where: Days Hotel, 159 Pelham St., Methuen
When: Thursday, May 1, 5 to 9 p.m.
How: Each student must bring proof of current school enrollment, as well as a parent or guardian. More information is available at pricelesspromgownprogram.com.
