East End Library Collecting Prom Dresses For Local Juniors And Seniors

Getting ready for prom and picking out the perfect dress should be a fun, exciting experience for teens. But for financially strapped families, the event, which many high schoolers consider the highlight of their 4 years, can be incredibly stressful. Dresses can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000, and then you add in the price of shoes, hair, makeup, manis, pedis, accessories, transportation, accommodation and any after prom happenings, and the expenses can easily become astronomical and overwhelming. Just last year, families from the Northeast spent $1,169 on prom related activities, according to a study by Visa. So for some, taking part in the entire prom primping process is just unrealistic.

To help ease the monetary burden of the special soiree and make the most anxious part of the occasion waiting for a promposal (an invite to prom), the Hampton Bays Public Library is once again hosting its Junior and Senior Prom Dress Drive. They believe that every attendee deserves to feel like Cinderella and have their red carpet moment, arriving in style donning a dress and complimentary accessories that they’ve fallen in love with. Since its inception in May of 2013, the Library has collected over 50 dresses, and they expect the donations to double by the time teens can browse through this year’s selection of items on Monday, May 2nd.

“At the Hampton Bays Public Library, we think that every young woman should be able to attend her prom feeling beautiful without ‘breaking the bank,'” explained Susan LaVista, Library Director.

Starting Monday, April 18th, the Library is inviting the East End community to drop off gently used dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry and any other prom related accessories that are still in good condition. The items should be brought to the Library’s Teen Department, which is located on the lower level.

Girls who are attending their junior or senior prom this year are welcome to come “shop” and pick out their perfect ensemble at the Hampton Bays Public Library from Monday, May 2nd through Friday, June 10th. The Junior and Senior Prom Dress Drive is complimentary and open to any teen from any local town who is in need of a dress.

This marks the 4th year that the Library has hosted the Drive and they are pleased to play a part in local youth’s big night. “We are proud to help make this happen,” added LaVista.

The Hampton Bays Public Library is located at 52 Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays. For more information about the Junior and Senior Prom Dress Drive, contact Theresa Maritato at 631-728-6241 at ext. 120 or Vicky Urbelis at ext. 121. For more information about the Hampton Bays Public Library, visit hamptonbayslibrary.org.