Donate Prom Dresses for 2012 Gown Giveaway to Eligible High School Girls

Remember that beautiful prom dress hanging in your closet that you most likely will never wear again?

Project Prom 2012 would love to have it.

It is collecting new and gently worn gowns in current styles to give to eligible high school girls who find the cost of a prom outfit is not within the family budget.

The closest place for Ross Township and West View donors to drop off gown donations is Picture People at Ross Park Mall. For other locations, click here.

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services is the sponsor for Project Prom 2012 for Young Ladies and Gentlemen.

This year, young men who are or whose families are receiving services through DHS are invited to participate in Project Prom 2012 for Gentlemen. 

The young men will receive a tuxedo fitting and a voucher for a free tuxedo rental after attending one of four scheduled prom-etiquette dinners designed to prepare them for their prom experience. 

Project Prom is made possible through the generosity of retail establishments and public donations. The Dignity and Respect Campaign supports Project Prom for Gentlemen.

The gown giveaway will be from 4-8 p.m. March 6-9 at the Project Prom Shop at Century III Mall. The shop also will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 10.

North Hill's prom is Saturday, May 19 at Heinz Field.  

All of the gowns will be carefully screened to ensure each is clean and undamaged. Accessories, including shoes, purses, wraps and jewelry will also be available to complete the ensemble.

There will be volunteer personal shoppers to assist each Project Prom shopper with her dress and accessory selection.

To be eligible, a young lady must live in Allegheny County and meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Receiving services or has a family member receiving services through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.
• Receiving or eligible to receive a free or reduced-fee school lunch.
• Has a caretaker receiving unemployment benefits.

“It is such a joy to watch the young ladies enjoy their Project Prom shopping experience and find the perfect dress.” said Event and Donations Manager Ondréa Burton. “A great dress can make you feel fabulous on prom night.”

For more information about Project Prom, including eligibility requirements, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/projectprom or call 412-350-3428 and leave a message with a phone number to ensure a return call.

To view the Facebook page for the project, click here. 

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are sponsoring a Project Prom sweepstakes this year in which one girl will be selected to enjoy an upgraded prom experience for her, her date and as many as four other couples.

The winning girl and her female guests will take a limousine ride to Verve Wellness in downtown Pittsburgh where they will get ready for prom night with some of the Pirates players' wives. The girls will receive manicures, pedicures and hair and makeup services.

The winning girl's dates will take a limo to PNC Park to receive etiquette training and to get ready with the Pirates players.

A professional photographer will then take pictures of the group on the PNC Park field before dinner at a downtown restaurant and additional transportation to the winning girl's prom.

Any girl eligible for Project Prom 2012 who has also recorded a short video about her prom and about what dignity and respect mean to her is eligible for the Pirates sweepstakes.