With thrift shopping becoming more popular than ever, the Huntsville High School (HHS) Interact Club wanted to tie the trend into the school’s upcoming prom.
On Saturday, April 7, the club held a Prom Dress Drive at the HHS cafeteria.
More than 30 dresses were donated as well as dress pants, dress shirts, shoes and even six full suit sets. With sizes ranging from 0 to 16, there was formal wear for a wide range of body types.
Interact is the youth version of the Rotary Club of Huntsville and their committee participates in various events throughout the year that affect both HHS and the community.
This year’s Interact committee comprises seven students—Rachael Lemon, Brianna Todd, Ella Cushman, Alora Hunnighan, Madeline Gosset, Emma Collins and Ian Markham, as well as their teacher advisor, Pauline Webb.
They had help with the event from the Clothes Closet which is another Rotary-affiliated group at HHS. The Clothes Closet collects clothing donations from around Huntsville and then they set the items up at HHS every Thursday during lunch hour.
The Clothes Closet also donated all of the rolling racks needed to display the dresses on Saturday.
More than 30 dresses and other formal wear was donated for the Prom Dress Drive
Not only was formal wear available, but the event had door prizes and vendors set up to browse as well.
First Choice Haircutter’s donated a men’s haircut and Interact donated a “Girls Pamper Basket” to be won.
The vendors that attended were Limitless Hair Studio, who set up a display with discount prom hair appointments available, and Karen Litchfield, organizer of the Clothes Closet, displayed Stella & Dot jewelry with samples being sold at a discounted rate.
The fee that both vendors paid in order to set up a booth was donated to “The Shoe That Grows,” an expandable shoe project in which shoes that expand numerous sizes are given to Zambian people in need.
Although some girls did find their dream dress at Saturday’s event, there are still many gorgeous dresses left for students to snatch up.
The dresses are currently being held at the Clothes Closet and students are able to pop by every Thursday to browse the selection.
“Why spend hundreds of dollars on a dress when you can help the environment and get a beautiful dress for free?” said event organizer Rachael Lemon.
(From left) Kristy Mulder, Ella Cushman, Rachael Lemon, Madeline Gosset, Brianna Todd, and Alora Hunnighan
Interact also plans to hold a Grad Dress Event for grade 8 students at a local elementary school in the next few weeks
“So many stunning dresses were donated so we want to make sure they all get worn, that’s why we thought expanding the project to grade 8 grad would help,” said Lemon.
If you are a Huntsville High student and are looking for a prom dress, pop into the Clothes Closet Thursdays at lunch hour.
If you are in grade 8 and still searching, keep your eyes peeled for the elementary dress drive in the next couple weeks.
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Wow. I love this initiative. As a parent that feels somewhat “pressured” to buy my daughter a spanking new dress for grad…. in Grade 8!!… it is so awesome to see youth that are taking a creative and sustainable and realistic approach to celebrating life passages.
Good for you all.