Community Corner
Lake Catholic Students Collect Prom Dresses for Those Less Fortunate
Four students from Lake Catholic High School collected dozens of gently worn prom and homecoming dresses that less-fortunate students could wear to their own proms
Four juniors from spent their Saturday collecting gently worn formal dresses so others with limited budgets could afford to go to their prom.
Students Erin Radigan and Bonnie Zappitelli organized the collection event and friends, Julie Lazanich and Marra Kowall, helped greet those dropping off dresses. The girls also collected shoes, jewelry and purses. Midway through Saturday the girls had collected 84 dresses.
“We are doing this because lots of girls might not be able to attend their prom if they can’t afford a dress. This way no one misses out on their prom,” Radigan said.
Zappitelli gives a summary of just how costly a prom night can be.
“Well, there’s the dress that can cost on average $150 to $200. Custom designs or fittings raise that price to way over $300. Then you need shoes and a purse to match and you’ll need to get your hair and nails done. Then the prom tickets cost $120 or more for a couple, depending on the school. One night can end up costing over $500. That’s why we are doing this.”
Michele Bernot, campus minister, helped the girls organize the event.
“In today’s economy we feel this is a great way to help girls attend their prom and give back to the community.”
Bernot arranged to deliver the dresses, purses and shoes the girls collected to My Fairy God Mother, 4652 Warrensville Center Rd., Suite 2, North Randall. My Fairy God Mother is a not-for-profit organization and the owner of the North Randall location is Wendy Jones.
“We will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each Saturday until prom season. We ask for a $25 donation a for a dress and a $5 donation for purses and shoes,” Jones said.
Anyone wishing to donate gently used formal prom dresses or accessories can do so by calling Wendy Jones at 216-355-9710 to schedule an appointment or bring them to My Fairy God Mother, North Randall location, on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., now through prom season.