Once Upon a Prom ensures a memorable prom experience
Junior Woman’s Club hosts 7th free prom dress event
Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club recently hosted its annual Once Upon a Prom event to help girls have a memorable prom experience.
Junior Woman’s Club members — a group of women who volunteer to enrich the Boyertown area and beyond with projects benefiting youth and those in need — recognize that the dress is a huge part of going to prom and unfortunately for some is an enormous financial burden. Members decided to hold an event that would help provide beautiful prom dresses for those who might not otherwise have the means to purchase them.
Prior to the event, the Club collected dresses, promoting the idea that once you’ve had your “once upon a time” moment, you can give another hers.
“We are always grateful for the outpouring of support by the community. Their donation of dresses and accessories help make this event possible. We hope to reach to more and more girls and continue to see them leave Once Upon a Prom with a dress in their hands, a smile on their face, and ready for prom!” said club member Danelle Matlack in the dress collection announcement.
The club welcomed clean, nontorn dresses of all sizes, both long and short, as well as purses, clutches, jewelry and wraps.
Just before the pandemic, more than 50 girls from local communities attended the 2020 event. Last year the event was not held due to COVID gathering restrictions.
This year marked the Club’s seventh event.
“Each year the event gets bigger, and the community support is amazing. It is extremely rewarding to see these girls and their families as they leave so thrilled about their dresses and accessories and knowing that we made it possible for them to go,” said Anita Zuber, Once Upon a Prom committee chair in a release.
Held at Miracles in Motion in Boyertown March 5 and 6 and March 12 and 13, racks and racks of new and gently used dresses were set up and displayed with other items such as shoes and jewelry.
Open to junior and senior high girls from all school districts, 35 girls browsed the collection of 700 plus dresses. Most left with two dresses and even a few accessories to complete the outfit, all at no charge. In addition to those from the Boyertown area, some traveled from Governor Mifflin, Emmaus, SpringFord, Oley, Hamburg, Pottstown, and Reading.
Bright-colored dresses and dresses adorned with “bling” were the trend this year, the Club noted.
While the event was free, voluntary donations were accepted. The money collected will be donated back to the community through programs such as Boyertown Post Prom.
“An event such as this would not be possible without support from Miracles in Motion, In Ian’s Boots, Zuber Realty, and the kind-hearted dress donations made by many in the community,” stated the Club in its release.
For information about getting involved with Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club, visit their Facebook page GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Boyertown.