How to Start Prom Dress Drives

Organize a drive and offer gently used prom dresses to girls who need them.

The prom is something millions of high school girls look forward to every year, and is a rite of passage, for many. However, prom dresses are very expensive; they can cost $250 or more apiece. Many families simply can't afford this. You can help by starting a prom dress drive.

Things You'll Need

• Access to social media
• Supplies to make flyers
• Donated services like dry cleaning from local businesses
• Donated space from local businesses and organizations
• Tables and chairs
• Dress racks
• Hangers

Instructions

1. Set a date for your prom dress drive. It should be a couple of months before prom; that way, there will be plenty of time to organize and clean the dresses before they go to their new owners.

2. Set the location for your drive. One of the most convenient places to set up a drive is in your high school's gym. Talk to the principal well in advance of the drive's date. Other ideas include local entrepreneur spaces like dry cleaning establishments, which may even be able to help with other necessary equipment like dress racks and hangers, and local church basements. Pay local business owners a visit or call them directly to ask if they'd be willing to donate space for the big day. Ask if the dresses can be housed there until it's time for new owners to take them home.

3. Advertise the date and location extensively. Social networking sites will get the word out quickly that you need gently used, clean prom dresses of all sizes. Post notices at your school and around town.

4. Gather some friends to help. Use social networking sites and post event notices around town; specify the date and time of the drive. Several friends and one "in charge" adult should be sufficient to help organize the drive and collect the dresses.

5. Make arrangements for necessary equipment. You'll need dress racks, hangers, tables and chairs. Ask local businesses like the dry cleaner or your local church or community center to help.

6. Ask for monetary donations. Some of the dresses may need cleaning; monetary donations will help take care of these costs.

7. Set a date for girls to go prom "shopping." Once the drive is over, it's time to distribute the dresses. Advertise the distribution location and time with school flyers and on social media. School gyms make perfect locations for this.

8. Invite girls to come and shop for their prom dresses. Send out a general invitation on social media and by posting notices at school with the date and time.

Tips & Warnings

• Moms, aunts and older female family friends make great volunteer stylists on shopping day and can help girls choose the perfect dress.

• Never call your prom dress drive a "charity" event. Girls may be embarrassed that they can't actually buy a dress and hesitate to participate if you do. Treat this event as a true "prom shopping" day instead.

References

• Start a Prom Dress Drive!