Project Prom Offers Free Dresses For Local Teens

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There was a bustle of excitement in a temporary boutique in Century Three Mall, because Project Prom is back.

"How about this?" Event manager Ondrea Burton asked as she showed a piece of jewelry to a Carrick High School Senior. She says hundreds of donated gowns will go home, free of charge, with families who are eligible.

"If they or someone in their family is receiving services from the Department of Human Services," she says, "if they qualify to receive free or reduced lunch, and any family that is on unemployment. They all qualify to participate in Project Prom."

It's the 10th anniversary for Project Prom. That's a whole lot of smiles.

"There was a particular young lady that walked out of here with a beautiful purple dress," Ondrea said with a smile. "It was a 'high-low' that her mother said she saw on a website for $400. And the young lady walked out of here today with that dress."

McKeesport High School seniors Yawande Bynum and Seausa Williams tried on three gowns, before coming up with the right ones.

"The other two dresses I tried on, I liked the colors," Yawande said. "They fit me well, but this was the best one."

"I like it because it fits me," Seausa said. "It's nothing like too long or too short. It's just right."

"You have to be picture-perfect," her friend concluded.

Thanks to Project Prom, many high school girls will, indeed, have picture-perfect proms.

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