by Davy James, Staff Writer
Cinderella wouldn’t have gotten close to the ball without her fairy godmother.
With hopes of playing the role of the fairy godmother for many teens from families struggling in the current economic crisis, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Monmouth Junction will be collecting gowns to help these students attend their proms.
”Just like Cinderella couldn’t go to the ball until someone intervened in the story, there are girls who would like to go to their proms, but don’t have the money to get the dresses and accessories people like to have for a special occasion,” said the Rev. Francis Hubbard. “Especially this year in these troubled economic times.”
The idea for the drive was started by church member Wanda Garrin. It is open to any student, not just those from South Brunswick.
”This is for people who have been to a prom in the past and have that dress languishing in their closets,” the Rev. Hubbard said. “We’re trying to match the haves with the have-nots. It gives them the opportunity to give away something they treasure and give another girl the chance to come to the prom decked out and looking their best.”
The Rev. Hubbard said that bridesmaid dresses are also suitable for donation and the church will give receipts for tax deduction purposes. Donations will be collected on March 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at the church. Dresses should be cleaned. The church also will accept accessories such as evening dress shoes with the gowns, shawls and costume jewelry.
Dresses will be available for trying on and selecting on April 18 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church on a first-come, first-serve basis. A valid student ID must be presented in order to receive one of the donations, but students do not need to present proof of economic hardship.
”Students will get in line and take a number but they don’t need to show us a bank statement or anything like that because we’re doing this on good faith,” the Rev. Hubbard said. “We’re going to do the best we can to get the girls what they want, but we can’t guarantee everything will be as hoped for. But it gives the opportunity for girls to go to the prom with better things than they otherwise would have. Which is all good because it’s a special night.”
