Dayton Senior Collects Formal Dresses for 'Catherine's Closet'

Jonathan Dayton High School senior Gianna Izzi is offering girls a way to recycle their formal dresses and simultaneously help those in need. 

Through Thanksgiving, Izzi will be collecting clean dresses of any length to donate to Catherine's Closet, a non-profit organization that has enabled over 6,000 underprivileged girls in the New York/New Jersey area to own a dress they otherwise wouldn't have been able to acquire to wear to a formal event.

Izzi explained that the charity was established in memory of an honor student and valedictorian who attended Clifford Scott High School in East Orange. Aspiring to be a doctor, Catherine's life was cut short when a 14-year-old driving a stolen car crashed into the car carrying Catherine and her twin sister, Courtney. Catherine was buried in her prom dress. 

"I heard about this organization last year from a co-worker of my mother's," Izzi said. "She had participated in it and thought it may be something that I would be interested in doing. I really love being able to help other people, especially children or other teenagers that may be less fortunate."

This summer, Izzi traveled to Costa Rico and distributed soccer cleats she'd collected throughout the year to children in need.

"It was so rewarding to see the smiles on their faces when I was able to give them a pair of soccer cleats," she recalled. "It makes me happy to be able to bring happiness to others."

Izzi will collect dresses again before prom season. 

Please bring your donation on a hanger to Room 207 or contact Izzi at 973-703-5138 to arrange pick up.