If you know a young woman who is looking for a prom dress, but price is a problem, State College Area School District’s Delta Program, 154 W. Nittany Ave., has a solution. From Thursday, March 15, through Saturday, March 17, a group from Delta will offer a selection of prom dresses free to any high school student in Centre County.
On March 15 and 16, selections can be made from 4 to 7 p.m. On March 17, young ladies may pick out dresses from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and minor alterations also will be available that day. Shoppers should enter the building from South Fraser Street and go to room 216/218. If climbing the stairs presents a problem, dresses will be brought to the first floor.
Many people have donated dresses to make the prom attire event successful, but more are still needed. Collection points include: Balfurd Dry Cleaners, 1223 N. Atherton St. or 215 S. Atherton St.; Jezebel’s Boutique, 355 Colonnade Boulevard., Suite A; Delta High School’s counseling office; and the main office at Delta. Donations will be accepted each day until the time of the event.
Deborah Steinberg, a learning support teacher at Delta, also is an adviser to Interact, the high school equivalent of Rotary Club. The members of Interact have been helping with the collection and arrangement of the dresses.
“I am sending out emails to all the guidance counselors at all the area high schools to tell them about the dresses,” said Steinberg. “We have given out an average of 90 to 110 dresses in the five years since the program has operated out of Delta.”
A Penn State student was the first person to collect dresses and help young women afford their proms in 2006. Donations now come from many sources, including bridal boutique Diamonds and Lace. Shoes, jewelry and makeup also have been donated to benefit prom-goers.
“Yes, the dresses are theirs to keep,” said Steinberg. “We do it to help the young ladies have a good shopping experience and be able to enjoy their proms.”
