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Web site encourages donation of gently used prom dresses

Date published: 5/13/2008

Want your say? Students in grades eight to 12 are invited to submit guest columns to MyLine. For guidelines, visit fredericksburg.com/it and click on "Contact Us."

AS PROM SEASON rolls on throughout area high schools, dresses are flying off the racks.

But what if you can't afford a first-class flight? And even if you (or, likely, your parents) can afford such a dress, what do you do with it afterward?

Some prom-goers follow the demand of environmentalists everywhere as they reuse their dresses for other occasions of lesser importance, or even occasions with a different crowd of people. I happen to fall into this category of environmentally minded girls--or, perhaps, I'm just cheap.

Regardless, if you also think it ridiculous to buy a dress, wear it once and then keep it in the back of a closet until it is so hopelessly out of style it can only be donated to the dump, you too will appreciate the new site DonateMyDress.org.

The site was launched by Hearst Teen Network, which also includes popular style and dress sources such as CosmoGIRL!, Seventeen and Teen magazines

The Web site provides donated dresses to teen girls living below the poverty line for occasions like prom and "sweet 16" parties.

From the home page, you can search for donation and shopping sites, upcoming events, related causes, photo galleries, testimonials and personal stories, quizzes, photo galleries for inspiration, and, of course, links to other sites where girls can buy their dresses.

Unfortunately, my search for donation sites in Virginia yielded only two locations: Lynchburg and Bedford, both two to three hours away. With gas prices (and parents who demand I pay for my own gas), these locations didn't seem like good options--until I noticed that donation by mail is accepted. Still slightly disappointed, I took comfort in knowing that even if I couldn't enjoy the selection myself, I could add to it.

The photo galleries and testimonials were heartwarming and cute. The stories varied widely: One girl won her prom dress on the "Rachael Ray Show." Others are homeless--living in cars at best--and are simply thrilled to be able to try on such beautiful dresses.

The quizzes ("What Prom Dress Fits Your Personality?" and "What Prom 'Do Should You Do?") are the expected cutesy wastes of time, but fun, nonetheless. For the record, I am a "long, sleek gown" and I ought to wear an "updo with extra-strength hair spray."

Overall, DonateMyDress is working for a good cause, albeit through overly cutesy means, and is definitely worth any girl's attention. If you donate, what do you have to lose? A dress you will never wear again? Don't be selfish.

Adrienne Poffenbarger is a junior at Riverbend High School.

Date published: 5/13/2008