St. Andrew Prom Closet, run by the Women of St. Andrew, is celebrating its 15th year of helping young ladies look and feel beautiful for prom. Prom Closet provides donated dresses, sizes 0-30, as well as accessories such as jewelry, shoes, handbags, and wraps to high school girls for prom– all at NO COST. Organizers estimate more than 4,000 dresses will be available when Prom Closet opens Feb. 20.
Requirements for shoppers: each girl must sign up online for an appointment at www.standrewmethodist.org/promcloset (beginning Jan. 22); each girl must be present to shop for her own dress; and each girl is allowed to bring ONE guest, age 16 or older with them. A personal shopper volunteer assists each girl throughout the process, and there are 35 shopping slots per each 1.5-hour time frame.
When and where is it?
Feb. 20 – 22, 24 and Feb. 26 – March 2, 2024
Smith Worship Center, St. Andrew Methodist Church, 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., Plano 75093
Online Registration Begins Jan. 22
Who is this for?
This is open to any high school girl from ANYWHERE. If you live outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can still come! Over the years, Prom Closet has welcomed girls from across Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma as well as exchange students from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and Thailand. Girls must sign up for an appointment time online.
What is the history of Prom Closet? How did it begin?
Prom Closet first began in 2009 when the Women of St. Andrew in Plano were searching for an idea for their yearly mission project. The daughter of one of the group’s leaders worked for a local school district. She had noticed a huge need for girls to acquire prom attire so they could attend their senior proms. The idea of providing a unique shopping experience for young ladies who because of finances would be unable to attend prom was presented to the group, and all agreed to move forward with Prom Closet. The program, which remains a service of the Women of St. Andrew, also depends on many additional volunteers from the community. Each year, approximately 500 volunteers assist with Prom Closet serving in a variety of areas. Prom Closet organizers and volunteers confirm that not only is the need great, but the impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is immeasurable.
How does it work?
The room is set up like a boutique. Each girl checks in for her appointment and is greeted by a personal shopper who helps her find dress racks with her size. Once she has selected her dress, she may try it on in one of 20 dressing rooms. Then she visits the boutique to look for jewelry, shoes, a handbag, and a wrap.
Where are the items from?
Community and church members, businesses, organizations, and local groups donate dresses, shoes, wraps, jewelry, handbags, and other accessories for this annual event. Some dresses have never been worn.
How many have you served?
The first year, Prom Closet provided 35 dresses to local high school girls. In 2023, 1,060 girls from 290 schools and 103 school districts received dresses and accessories, all donated by community members, local groups, corporations, and businesses.
Can people donate dresses and accessories?
YES! Prom Closet is accepting donations of dresses (sizes 0-30), jewelry, shoes, handbags, and wraps. All donations may be dropped off at St. Andrew, 1401 Mira Vista Blvd., just inside the church’s north entry doors on a designated dress rack. Drop-off hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Sunday 9 a.m. – noon. For the north entrance, park in the large north parking lot off Mira Vista and look for the covered walkway and sign on the building. A link on Amazon (www.standrewmethodist.org/promcloset) is available for anyone that would like to help by purchasing items, which are shipped directly to the church.
Are volunteers needed? Yes. Prom Closet relies on volunteers for various roles of all levels of physical capability, including check-in desk and check-out desk, personal shoppers, dressing room assistants, and set-up and tear-down crew members. Volunteers for the shopping days must be adults. All adult volunteers must complete a background check. Sign up online to volunteer beginning Jan. 22. Upon registration you will receive an email within 24-48 hours asking you to complete the background check.
What if people have questions?
Call the Prom Closet informational hotline at 469-385-1810, or email promcloset@standrewmethodist.org.
Website and Registration: www.standrewmethodist.org/promcloset
Hotline: 469-385-1810
Email: promcloset@standrewmethodist.org
Instagram: promclosetstandrew
Twitter: @promclosetStA
Facebook: Prom Closet: St. Andrew
LinkedIn: Prom Closet: St. Andrew