Got a prom dress or suit you’re looking to donate? Look no further.
Through the end of the month, the Camden County’s Sheriff’s Office is hosting its first “Say Yes to the Prom Dress” collection drive and giveaway in partnership with the county prosecutor, board of commissioners and corrections and police departments.
The idea came about after Lt. Sharon Grate-Hameen of the sheriff’s office saw a post about a prom dress drive on social media that inspired her to reach out to other organizations for a similar effort in Camden County.
“I sent out an email to see who would want to collaborate and everyone was willing to collaborate to try and get it done,” she said.
Grate-Hameen said the response so far has been good. The county is now collecting prom dresses, gowns, cocktail dresses, suits, clutches and evening bags, but not clothing, makeup, jewelry or shoes. Though some dresses have been cleaned, others will have a tag encouraging recipients to get them dry cleaned before use.
The county is partnering with five school districts whose seniors can register at the county website to obtain a dress, or suit if preferred: Camden City, Pennsauken, Lindenwold, Winslow and possibly Gloucester City.
Grate-Hameen noted that once registered, seniors will have an appointed time to choose dresses off the rack.
“We try to give them that clientele experience,” she explained. “They choose their dress. We’re hoping everyone finds their forever dress or their prom dress for the season and they take it. And they can always donate the dress for next year.”
The hope is for the dress drive to continue into the future. Registration will end on Feb. 25 and pickups in early March at the Camden County Boathouse in Pennsauken will be based on registration times. Donations can be taken to the following locations:
- Camden County Office of the Sheriff, 520 Market St., Camden
- Camden County Parks Department, 1301 Park Blvd, Cherry Hill
- Office of the Camden County Prosecutor, 200 Federal St. Camden
- Camden County Police Department, 800 Federal St., Camden .
For more information or to register, visit https://www.camdencounty.com/service/prom-dress-collection-drive-giveaway/.
