The big dance: 19th annual Belle of the Ball prom dress drive is underway
With prom season right around the corner, Caring Partners' 19th annual “Belle of the Ball” dress drive is underway.
The charitable prom dress collection outfits girls from head to toe and lets them focus on the big night without worrying about costs for gowns, shoes, accessories, hair and makeup.
"Life has thrown us many curveballs, but our mission remains the same: Every high school girl should have the experience of feeling beautiful," said Arthur Anton, vice president of Tewksbury-based Anton's Cleaners, which is collecting and cleaning "gently worn" prom dresses for the program.
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In April, the Hynes Convention Center in Boston will be transformed into a shop with thousands of dresses, shoes and accessories. Consultants will help more than 1,000 girls find the perfect, free dress. Volunteers sort the gowns and act as personal shoppers for the students.
To attend the event, students must be referred by school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, social service agencies or clergy members by March 17.
Anton's Cleaners has 37 locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire – including shops in Braintree, Marshfield, Canton and Stoughton – and will be accepting dress donations until March 26. Other drop-off locations are Jordan's Furniture in Avon, Natick, Reading and Nashua, New Hampshire; and Enterprise Bank branches.
More than 5,500 girls have been outfitted since Belle of the Ball began in 2005.
For more information about Belle of the Ball, visit antons.com/belle.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 19th annual Belle of the Ball prom dress drive is underway
