Area high school girls are getting a chance to be belles of the ball at their upcoming proms without breaking the bank.
The YWCA of Elgin, Elgin Junior Service Board and Junior League of Kane and DuPage counties are giving away dresses during their Cinderella’s Closet event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the YWCA, 220 E. Chicago St.
The groups have collected about 4,000 dresses from residents, high schools and shops like Special Occasions on the Avenue in Batavia. Racks will be filled with long, short, feathered, ruffled, bedazzled, fun and sophisticated dresses of all colors and fabrics. There also will be shoes and accessories.
Many of the dresses are new and still have their tags. The rest have been checked out to make sure they’re in good condition.
Deirdre White, event coordinator for the YWCA, said Cinderella’s Closet is about more than just finding a prom dress. It’s also about self esteem for teen girls.
“They stand a little taller when they come out of the dressing rooms,” she said. “It’s absolutely amazing, the transformation. Yes it’s a beautiful gown, but it’s how the gown makes that girl feel.”
Elisabeth McCoy, president of the Elgin Junior Service Board, said prom also can be a strain on the wallet for just about anyone.
“It’s an even wider market of girls in need, so for us to not only help them, but to fulfill a dream in that way, it’s right in line with (the groups’ missions),” McCoy said.
Low-income girls identified by their schools or other community groups get first dibs, from 9-11 a.m. Girls of all income levels are welcome from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a valid high school ID. A $5 donation is appreciated, but not mandatory.
Girls who attend will be paired with a “fairy godmother” who will help them choose a dress.
Burlington Central junior Kathryn Bohner attended a similar event last fall where she picked out a light blue strapless dress with sparkles and a full skirt that she plans to wear to her prom later this month.
“I just really like the color because it matches my eyes so it makes them stand out,” she said. “I always wanted a really big dress, but they’re so much money and this one’s perfect. It’s really pretty.”
White advises girls to wear proper undergarments or even a leotard since they’ll be trying on dresses in a community dressing room. Cell phones and cameras are not allowed. Each student can bring one female guest into the boutique, but males are allowed in the waiting room only.
The groups still need adult volunteers. For more information visit elginjsb.org or ywcaelgin.org.
