Cinnaminson Grad Carries on Prom Dress Drive

Of all the material ingredients that go into making prom a memorable experience (the limo, the photos, the after-party), the gown may be the most critical—and the most expensive.

Thanks to one Cinnaminson High School (CHS) alumnus, it doesn’t have to be.

Jinhee Lee, a 2012 CHS graduate now in her sophomore year at Rutgers-New Brunswick, almost missed out on her own prom because of financial troubles. Fortunately, she was able to borrow a dress. But that’s an option many teens don’t have.

“I don’t think it’s fair you have to miss out on anything due to financial circumstances,” she said.

So in 2012, Lee created “Our Fairy Godmother,” a dress donation program that gives local teen girls the opportunity to purchase gently used gowns for $10 a pop. Since starting it, she’s collected roughly 500 dresses, all donated by individuals across South Jersey.

“I was surprised by the amount of support,” said Lee, who reached out to 30 schools last year to ask for their participation, and has expanded to 35 schools this year.

And in case you’re thinking “What’s the big deal?,” Lee explained that prom is much more than just another dance.

“(At prom) you’re making memories with your peers,” she said. “It’s another experience, another story to tell later on.”

Lee was chosen by the Huffington Post earlier this year for its “Greatest Person of the Day” feature. (Huffington Post is a sister publication of Patch.)

Lee is trying to collect all the dresses for this season by the end of January, though she will accept donations after that. To donate a dress, email Lee at lee.jinhee2@gmail.com.