Prom night is one of the biggest days in a young girl’s life. It also comes with expenses many parents can’t afford. The average cost of prom is $919, according to a national survey from Visa.
Crystal Jones is looking for the perfect prom dress. With more than 400 dresses to choose from she has plenty of options.
“We treat it as a shopping experience as if you’re going into any place to spend your hard earned money. We have volunteers dedicated to the young women, that come in to make sure that they get the dress, hopefully of their dreams,” explained Lashay B, organizer of Lashay B’s Prom Dress Drive.
About 70 high school girls gearing up for one of the biggest nights of their adolescent lives have come to this prom dress drive, to find a gown for free.
“It means so much to me because all I got to pay for is the ticket and shoes, and the small things. The dress is the most expensive thing out of the prom experience,” said Crystal Jones.
Not only do the girls get to go home with a free new or gently used prom dress, they are also getting free makeup, hair and photo shoots. It’s all possible through community donations. Organizer Lashay B said this event allows many girls to attend prom, who otherwise could not afford it.
“Who doesn’t want to feel good, and I think it’s a right for a young woman. A dollar amount shouldn’t stop young women from attending prom,” she said.
Crystal who is a teen mom, said the prom dress drive gave her the confidence boost she needed.
“It will help me build my daughter’s confidence as well, because I didn’t have any at all, until today. So I’m just coming out as a different person today,” Jones expressed.
The prom dress drive took place at the Hogan Family YMCA in Madison. This is the fourth year the drive has been held.