Prom dress sale promotes education

PARIS, Ill (WTHI) - To an outsider, the room inside the Knights of Columbus Hall looks like another department store, full of hundreds of colorful prom dresses and high school girls wanting to make lasting impressions.

"[It’s a] big deal, you want to be the best you can be [and] be noticeable," Madison Pollitt said.

However, the prom dress sale will help some girls long after prom night is over.

Tabitha York and her mother came up with the idea after Tabitha participated in a similar sale out of town and won a scholarship.

"My mom and I thought this was an awesome cause and it helps senior girls to go to school, to pursue their education.  We wanted to bring it back closer to home, so we can help out our area girls as well," York said.

For $3-per-dress, girls can sell their used prom dresses in the fundraiser at any reasonable price, profiting fully.

"These dresses are anywhere from $300 and less…I think it helps quite a bit with it being priced lower," she said, referring to the affordability of the dresses.

Volunteers will use the admission fees to give girls scholarships.

This year, they're selling over 400 dresses, which will be enough to help at least four girls with their college costs.

"It can be used for tuition, room-and-board, [or buying] books, because books are expensive," said York.

With the community's help, it can be a program that can change a young woman's life.

"As long as people are still going to put on dresses, we hope to do it as long as we can," said York.

Young women get a special deal for the night of a lifetime and the education to match.

Volunteers would like to thank Knights of Columbus Hall for letting the group use their building every year.