St. Andrew Methodist Church will soon open up registration for its annual prom closet, a no-cost service for high school girls to select a dress, shoes and accessories for prom regardless of where the girls are from.
“What I love most about St. Andrew’s annual Prom Closet is the absolute joy that it brings to the lives of so many,” said Rev. Arthur Jones, senior pastor at St. Andrew. “This program is about so much more than just providing dresses or accessories. For many, it’s about hope and discovering there are people who care. The St. Andrew Women work on this program year ’round because they know its impact. If you are looking for an incredible and uplifting volunteer experience, join us for our 15th anniversary year! Prom Closet has grown to be an extraordinary outreach to girls throughout the metroplex and beyond.”
Registration opens up on Jan. 22, and the closet will be open from Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 26 to March 2 in Smith Worship Center at St. Andrew Methodist Church at 1401 Mira Vista Blvd.
The closet serves approximately 1,000 high school girls each year, according to St. Andrew Methodist Church. When the service began in 2009, it services 35 girls from local high schools. Last year, 1,060 girls received dresses and accessories, demonstrating the growth of the service and approximately 500 volunteers to the community with girls from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and even exchange students from Germany, Poland, Switzerland and Thailand.
“This year Prom Closet will celebrate its 15th anniversary of making prom dreams come true,” said Devra Helffrich, a founder of the Prom Closet, which was created to provide a unique shopping experience for young ladies who because of finances would be unable to attend prom. “Not only is the need great, but the impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is immeasurable. Each volunteer strives to provide an uplifting experience for the young ladies letting them know they are loved, and they are beautiful. There are countless beautiful and emotional stories of girls and their families who have received prom dresses and accessories.”
The Prom Closet is also accepting donations of dresses sized 0 to 30, jewelry, shoes, handbags and wraps. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-noon at St. Andrew Methodist Church, just inside the church’s north entry doors on a designated dress rack. A link on Amazon is available for anyone that would like to help by purchasing items.
“We are so grateful for the support and donations from the community as well as our wonderful volunteers – all of whom make Prom Closet possible,” said Helffrich. “We collect dresses, shoes, jewelry, wraps, handbags, and other accessories year ’round and encourage the community to bring in items to support this important effort.”
While there is no-cost, appointments are required. Each shopper must be present to select her own dress and accessories, and only one guest who is 16 years of age or older is allowed. A personal shopper volunteer will be available to assist each shopper throughout the process, with 35 shopping slots available per each 1.5 hour time frame. Once registration opens on Jan. 22, those interested can choose a time slot online or call St. Andrew for more information at 460-385-1810.
