High school girls are able to choose a dress for their junior or senior prom from these donated dresses in the Prom Room at the 14th District Legislative Office in Hamilton. (Provided photo)
HAMILTON – For the sixth consecutive year, Princess Prom Project is making it affordable for high school girls to celebrate their junior and senior proms, which are usually memorable events of their high school experience.
The annual Princess Prom Project, which was launched in 2011 by Assemblyman, Wayne DeAngelo of the 14th Legislative District, strives to make sure that young ladies will be able to find formal prom dresses to wear on their special night instead of missing out because formal dresses are too expensive.
“Every year, it is heart-warming to see the joy that can be felt by a young lady who finds that perfect dress for the extremely special event in their youth,” said DeAngelo (D-Hamilton).
He said families in the area have been generous because they donate new or gently worn dresses each year.
Also, “the collaboration with youth service and community outreach agencies, plus local word of mouth has continued to make [the] program a great success to provide for the young ladies in our District,” DeAngelo said.
For example, approximately two months before their prom, Steinert High School will also mention the program to its students.
Steinert’s Fashion Show Co-Chair, Jennifer Persichetti, said their students will hear about Princess Prom Project at their fashion show on March 9th when DeAngelo attends the school event and speaks to them.
“He’s going to encourage [people] to come and drop off gowns at his office,’’ Persichetti said. “The Assemblyman or a rep has come to speak at the fashion show in the past. We help him spread the word,” she said.
The Princess Prom Project invites folks in the community to support the program by donating different size dresses that are in good condition. These include slightly used, formal or cocktail gowns hanging in their closets, accessories such as purses and jewelry. The 14th Legislative District Outreach Center located at 4621A Nottingham Way in Hamilton Township collects these items and holds them in their prom room.
“Throughout the year, but particularly during the spring, families continue to support the prom by opening their hearts and their closets to constantly refresh the collection of hundreds of dresses and accessories to complete their look,” DeAngelo said.
The project includes these dresses in the “dress collection” that young ladies choose from during the “shopping parties” that are held on selected days or by appointments between February and May.
“The Princess Prom Project continues to be a great avenue for families who want their daughters to have that once in a lifetime experience without the price tag becoming overwhelming for families living on a tight household [budget],” DeAngelo noted.
At the upcoming shopping parties, ladies looking for their formal dresses will browse through the large collection of dresses that are provided at no cost to them.
DeAngelo initiated the Princess Prom Project because he understands how both parents and young ladies appreciate the financial benefits as well as their special night out with their peers.
“As a father who has watched my two daughters beam with excitement as they went off to their formals and proms, I know how important it is as a parent t make sure their teenager feels that they look their best for those special events,” he said.
The Princess Prom Project is opened to high school girls who live in the 14th District that consists of Hamilton Township, East Windsor, Hightstown, Robbinsville, Monroe Township, Jamesburg, Plainsboro, Spotswood and Cranbury.
Shopping parties will be held 3 to 6 pm Tuesday, March 7; Monday, March 20; Wednesday, April 5; Thursday, April 20; and Wednesday, May 3, or by calling the 14th Legislative District Outreach Office at (609) 631-7501.