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Ridgewood school to host annual prom dress drive

Promises  2015 web
Photo courtesy of Christine Nelson

Help make a girl’s dream come true and send her to her prom in style by donating old, gently used dresses during the Joan England’s 3rd Annual PROMises Prom Dress Drive.

The PROMises Prom Dress Drive was created by Joan England, who passed away two years ago. Now her daughter, Christine Nelson, has taken up her mission of giving young women who are unable to afford a dress the chance to wear an elegant gown to their prom.

“I feel it’s important to keep the tradition going and most importantly, give back to the community,” Nelson said. “We always tell the girls who receive a dress that we just ask they pay it forward.”

This year, the dress drive is being held at I.S. 93, located at 66-56 Forest Ave. in Ridgewood, in conjunction with the school’s “Cinderella’s Closet” campaign.

Everyone is encouraged to drop off their old, gently used bridesmaid gowns, formal wear and other special-occasion evening wear and accessories at I.S. 93. Donations can be made on Saturdays, March 5, March 12, April 2, April 9, April 16 and May 7. Someone will be at the school from 12:30 to 1 p.m. to collect the dresses.

There will be additional drop-off sites in Middle Village added as the event date draws nearer, Nelson confirmed.

The prom dresses will be given out during a special event at I.S. 93 on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each girl will be able to select one dress.

“Last year, we collected over 400 dresses and we put lots of smiles on so many faces,” Nelson said. “We had about 70 kids show up last year and the year before with many leftover dresses. We gave all the remaining dresses last year to John Adams High School in Ozone Park for their annual Prom Drive.”

For more information, contact Christine Nelson at 718-629-8589 or through email at cnelson1125@gmail.com.