Non-profit helps everyone get decked out for prom

Prom Blitz is a volunteer-run program is helping them to find the best dress without the stress.

Going to high school prom is almost like a right of passage and feeling good in your prom dress is perhaps one of the most important aspects about it.

In its 21^st year, Barrie-based organization Prom Glitz helps graduating students find previously loved prom dresses without the stress of having to worry about money.

Barrie mom Robin Hadfield founded the organization in 2005 when she discovered one of her daughters’ friends wasn’t going to go to prom because she and her family couldn’t afford a dress.

Since then, the non-profit organization has collected thousands of dresses for students so no one gets left out of the magical evening that is prom.

“It started out with addressing financial need. But I have to say, it’s changed over the years,” said Carole Allen, Prom Glitz director. “We know that young women now are very much into thrifting and upcycling. And so they love coming in finding a previously loved gown.”

Boutique Days

Boutique days are on now and students can browse the racks to find that perfect dress.

Thursday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fri., March 27: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sat., March 28: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sat., April 4: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fri., April 10: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sat., April 11: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The boutique is located in the Kozlov Centre on Bayfield Street in the former Doogan’s pet store at the back of the mall, across from the hair salon.

How it works

Members of the community can donate previously worn dresses and those in grades 8 or 12 can come by the boutique and take a dress for free. The organization accepts financial donations but emphasizes they’re not required to take a dress.

The donations cover things like racks, moving expenses and hangers.

The organization says many of the dresses in the boutique are brand new and have only been worn once.

Prom Glitz is entirely run by volunteers and is able to operate purely on the generosity of the community.

Donate

If you’d like to make a financial donation or have a dress that’s less than five years old and in good condition with no stains or rips, there are several drop-off locations across Simcoe County including in Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood, Innisfil, Midland, Orillia and Tottenham.