Got an old prom dress, tuxedo, suit or ball gown sitting in the back of the closet? Instead of continuing to gather dust, that dress or suit can find new life through Montgomery County Recreation’s “Project Prom Dress.”
The recreation department is collecting gently used and new dresses, suits and accessories – such as shoes, jewelry and purses – for an April free giveaway event for county high school students. County Executive Marc Elrich (D) is encouraging residents as well as businesses that sell prom-related items to donate to students in need.
“Celebrating prom is a ‘rite of passage’ for many students, unfortunately the high cost of prom apparel and accessories prohibit many students from participating,” Elrich said in a press release. “… Every student deserves the right to attend their prom.”
Project Prom Dress aims to “eliminate the financial obstacle of attending prom,” according to the release. Attending a prom can cost hundreds of dollars, with expenses including tickets and renting or buying an outfit, accessories, shoes and flower corsages.
The initiative was created three years ago after “many students had been unable to attend their proms” due to school closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Monika Hammer, a public information officer at Montgomery County Recreation.
The recreation department will collect prom attire through Feb. 29 at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, in Burtonsville. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
In addition, the department will be hosting two special collection dates in March:
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2 at the Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center, 4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase; and
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 9 at the Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown.
Donated items should be clean, in wearable condition and made from 2010 to the present. Items that are donated will be dry-cleaned before they are given away.
Students interested in picking out some garb for their prom can attend a special boutique event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 13 at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center. Any student, including private school students, who show their student I.D. card can attend the free giveaway.
The county has received more than 1,000 donations of formal wear in previous years, according to Hammer. After the giveaway, the remaining clothing and accessories will be donated to nonprofit organizations in the area, she said.
“It’s really meaningful to see the reaction of the students when they’re trying on the dresses,” Hammer said.
She said the department hopes to boost its suit collection this year and encourages the donation of clothing and accessories in larger sizes.
Last year, 160 high school students attended the prom outfit giveaway event, according to Hammer. She said the department is expecting to see a similar number this year.