HIGHTSTOWN: Cultural exchange collects prom dresses

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — High school teachers have collected unwanted prom gowns and formal dresses to raise money for a cultural exchange trip to Spain.
   The dresses will go on sale tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tavern on the Lake, 101 N. Main St., Hightstown.
   Borough Councilwoman Lynne Woods and Donna Ratner, both Hightstown High School teachers, teamed up to organize the fundraiser.
   "My younger daughter is going on the trip this year,” Councilwoman Woods said. “My older daughter went several years ago, so I know what a wonderful cultural experience the exchange is, but the cost is $2,800 per student, which can be a hardship for a lot of families.”
   Councilwoman Woods said she was approached from someone who had asked her if she knew of any organizations that accepted prom gowns and could put them to good use. It inspired her start the fundraiser.
   "I thought about what a great fundraiser this would be because it will not only benefit the kids going on the exchange, but (it) will benefit anyone who cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a prom dress, which is the cost of many of these dresses these days,” Councilwoman Woods said. “So, I suggested the idea to Donna Ratner, the Spanish teacher in charge of the exchange. She thought it was a great idea, so I started organizing the event.”
   The goal was to get as large of a selection of dresses as possible for the March 3 sale. Dress donations were accepted from Feb. 6 until Feb. 29.
   As of Feb. 8, a total of 20 dresses had been donated. Those dresses come in a variety of sizes — small, medium and large.
   Local community businesses have also stepped forward to help.
   The Tavern on the Lake has rented out its banquet room for tomorrow’s fundraiser.
   Society Cleaners Inc., of Hightstown, has offered a 30 percent dry cleaning discount to anyone who buys one of the gowns at the fundraiser and would like to have it dry cleaned prior to wearing it.
   "It is very heart-warming to see a town supporting the students of Hightstown and East Windsor (in) this way,” Councilwoman Woods said, who teaches Special Education history at Hightstown High. “We appreciate the support of those donating gowns and the support (of) local businesses.”
   For further information contact Lynne Woods at [email protected] or Donna Ratner at [email protected].