PEORIA, Ill. — Prom is almost here and so is the crazy time of finding the right dress.
The Dream Center in Peoria offers PROMise of Hope, an event where high school girls from around the area can look for a dress and accessories for free.
Sherri Ernst, the Volunteer Director at the Dream Center, said it is an amazing time.
“It’s a fun free event for any high school young lady that would like to go to prom but maybe can’t afford to go,” Ernst said. “So, we have over 1,000 dresses here, we have over 300 pairs of shoes, we have lots of jewelry.”
Corsages are also being made for the girls. Makeup and free hair styling is in the mix to give the girls the complete works for prom.
“It’s a one stop shop and everything is totally free, it’s totally donated, all the ladies that are here today are volunteers, it’s a great event,” Ernst said.
Girls can search through the racks of dresses and find many different styles and colors.
When a girl picks out her prom dress, she gets to walk the red carpet.
“Everybody stops what they’re doing, they clap and they cheer as loud as they can. So, we want to make that girl feel special and loved,” Ernst said.
Prom is annual event held by high schools, and it can be expensive to get everything needed for that night.
“Some of these girls have difficult situations that they’re in and if we can help them forget their troubles for a little bit and lift them up, then we’ve done our job,” Ernst said.
Zoie McMahan, a senior at Richwoods High School, picked out a dazzling blue dress and got to walk the red carpet.
“This is actually a really great opportunity, and I’m glad it was offered,” McMahan said.
The event is open to the public Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00, and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Girls who want to shop around for a dress or accessories need to show a student ID.
