Teens throughout the state will be able to attend their high school prom this spring without having to spend a single penny on purchasing needed attire thanks to the efforts of Arizona Rotarians.
For two weekends in March, The Prom Closet – a project spearheaded by the Peoria North Rotary Club -- will provide formal prom attire to boys and girls at absolutely no charge.
This year’s Prom Closet takes place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 14-15 and 21-22 at the GESD System of Care Campus, 7677 W. Bethany Home Road, Glendale.
All high school teens are invited. There are no financial requirements and no application to be completed. All items are available at absolutely no cost.
The Prom Closet has thousands of formal prom dresses to choose from, as well as shoes and accessories. In addition to women’s clothing and accessories, items available to men include suit coats, shirts, slacks, shoes and ties.
The club has been presenting the Prom Closet for 15 years. The event is supported by volunteer Rotarians from throughout Arizona.
“It’s really grown into a community-wide project,” said Sharon Jarnagin, a member of Peoria North Rotary Club and chair of this year’s project.
“Not only do we have Rotarians from throughout the Valley, but we have many other residents who have joined on as volunteers – many of whom felt the impact of the program when their sons or daughters visited The Prom Closet in the past.”
There are no reservations needed, however, there may be a short wait depending on the amount of people in attendance. Rotary volunteers accompany students individually through The Prom Closet to assist them with their selections.
Formal attire is only available to students.
The event has steadily grown over the years as word continues to spread. Last year, over 600 students from 70 Arizona high schools were served.
“We had several students come from as far away as Winslow,” said Ms. Jarnagin.
Volunteers, too, are needed and welcome. Gina Schmitz, co-chair of the event, said volunteers are needed not only to help students select their formal attire, but to help with registration, set-up, steaming clothes and more.
“We have short, four-hour shifts and we’ll find a role for anyone who wants to help,” said Ms. Schmitz.
Rotary is an international service club with members throughout the world. Eliminating polio is a major focus of the organization, but other areas of focus include improving literacy, providing sustainable fresh water and helping those in need.
“Rotary’s motto is ‘People of Action,’ and we think The Prom Closet lives up to that credo about as well as anything we can do,” said Darlene Eger, president of the Peoria North Rotary Club.
All items – from the dresses to sport coats to shoes – have been donated to the club over the years.
Donations are currently accepted at several locations throughout the Valley. For more information and a complete list of drop-off sites, visit www.thepromcloset.com.