Prom dress giveaway in Camden
Donna Drummonds has spent each spring since 2009 shuttling Camden high school students to a prom dress giveaway held in central Jersey, to help them get outfits for the big dance. It's a 90-minute drive and a big time commitment, and this year she wasn't sure she was up to it.
Donna Drummonds has spent each spring since 2009 shuttling Camden high school students to a prom dress giveaway held in central Jersey, to help them get outfits for the big dance. It's a 90-minute drive and a big time commitment, and this year she wasn't sure she was up to it.
"Then one girl came to me and asked: 'Mrs. Drummonds, are you doing the dresses again this year? Because if you don't, I won't be able to go,' " Drummonds said. "It just melted my heart. And I said, yes, of course."
But this year, the gowns are coming to the girls. On Saturday, high school students in Camden and the surrounding area are invited to browse racks of prom dresses at Camden High School's cafeteria. The event is free but by appointment only, and students who would like to attend should call 856-966-5100 and ask to speak to Drummonds.
A school community coordinator who has worked for the district for more than 30 years, Drummonds this year got a phone call from Promgirl, an online store that ended up with extra supplies. The caller wanted to know if she could use some donated prom dresses - styles that had been discontinued or gowns with flaws.
Next thing Drummonds knew, she had 34 boxes - more than 430 dresses.
"They're current styles!" she said. "We've got long, we've got short, we've got fitted, we've got poofy."
Prom tickets in Camden cost about $70, which means many students cannot attend, and many of those who do must save money in other ways.
"This way, they can pick up a dress and leave with it," Drummonds said. "You figure if you can get a dress for free, it helps. . . . And they get that one day to look and feel like a princess."
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