By ROBERT LINNEHAN
Prom dresses are pretty and gorgeous when worn during the big dance, but when they’re relegated to the back of your closet after the event who are they helping? Holly Harrington, a Haddonfield Memorial High School junior, wants to collect some of these old dresses and use them to brighten a young girls day.
The 16-year-old student is actively collecting prom dresses, shoes, accessories, and clutches to donate to the Fort Dix thrift shop. Harrington is collecting these items for her Girl Scout Gold award, which is basically equivalent of an Eagle Scout award in boy scouts.
“I do some things up at the base and it just seems like a good idea. The thrift store is run by some very nice people and it would benefit so many,” she said. “It’s a store on the actual base so the stuff is there for sale for all of the families living at Fort Dix.”
So many prom dresses are worn just one time and for one occasion and then spend the rest of their days in the back of a closet, Harrington said. By donating your dress or shoes, you can help make a teenage girl who wants to look great at prom realize her dream for a tenth of the price.
“I’m putting up advertisements all over town, but I need shoes and already used prom dresses. A lot of girls have them in the back of their closets, they will only be used once so why not donate,” Harrington said.
The Fort Dix thrift store will be using the proceeds it collects from the sales of her donated items for charities on the base and several different scholarships, Harrington said.
Harrington is even offering to come to interested donors and pick up the items herself. To contact her either call her at 429–4489 or send her an email at Hjharrington@verizon.net.
