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 White Plains, NY - Many high school students don’t think twice about going to their prom – and easily shell out the hundreds of dollars it takes to celebrate that traditional rite of passage in style. But for others, it’s just a dream that requires more money than their families have.
This year, Westchester County’s Department of Social Services will be partnering with Operation PROM to make sure economics don’t get in the way of those memories. Recognizing that many families can’t afford all the expenses that go along with a school prom, the program will provide donated prom dresses and tuxedos to students who are in serious financial need (and get good grades!).
Organizers will collect donations and new or gently worn prom dresses from individuals and businesses and distribute them to students throughout Westchester at a special event in the spring. Eligible boys will also be able to arrange for free tuxedo rentals through a specially arranged vendor.
“The prom is one of those quintessential high school experiences no one should have to miss – and especially not for financial reasons,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “We thought that by getting the county involved, we would make a good program even better and give more young men and women opportunities that others take for granted.”
Operation PROM, a non-profit organization founded by former Yonkers student Noel D’Allacco, has been running the project for five years. The only organization of its kind in the Westchester/greater New York City area, Operation PROM has been featured in the Journal News, The New York Times and CBS 2 News. This year the Department of Social Services signed on to further increase the number of students who can participate.
The program helps hundreds of teens who live in shelters, group homes, or very low-income households attend their prom at little or no cost. Some have physical or mental disabilities. To request a free prom dress or tuxedo, students must be passing all their classes and be recommended by their guidance counselor, as well as meet the requirements such as a severe financial need.
Operation PROM collected about 500 dresses last year, and with the help of DSS, hopes to do even better this year. Businesses and community agencies are being asked to make donations or hold dress drives, and the following drop-off locations have been set up:
Palazollo Plaza
800 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale
Suite 201 - Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The College of Westchester
325 Central Park Avenue, White Plains
Saturday's only – 9 a.m. to noon
Life Cleaners
300 Nepperhan Avenue
M, T, TH & F - 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.
W - 7:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. & Sat. - 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Life Cleaners
34 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry
M, T, TH, F – 6 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. & Sat. – 7 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Operation PROM has expanded to provide regular donations of food, clothing and school supplies to students in grades K-12 who are homeless and do not have family to assist. The group also provides leadership scholarships to high school seniors to promote higher learning and academic excellence.
For more information on how to donate a prom dress or to make a charitable contribution, go to www.helpprom.org. You can also contact Linda Sala at DSS at (914) 995-5027 with any questions.
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