Prom dress donations being collected

Girls from high schools throughout Northeast Ohio are invited to choose the prom dress of their dreams for free at Altrusa International of Akron’s annual “Princess Night Project.”

Since 2001, local members of Altrusa International, a volunteer service organization, have helped make prom dreams come true for more than 2,100 girls by providing them with a free prom dress. This year’s Princess Night Project is 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, March 11 at Kohl Family YMCA, located at 477 East Market St., Akron.

No recommendation, pre-registration or qualification is needed. Any girl who attends can choose from over 1,500 gowns hanging by size on the many racks. Altrusa asks only for the name of the girl’s school and how she heard about Princess Night Project.

Once checked in, girls select a gown with the help of aides to direct them to the proper sizes. The aides act as “personal shoppers,” helping make dress selections. Should the gown need a few alterations to make it fit perfectly, seamstresses are available to make minor alterations. Altrusa also offers a large selection of dressy shoes, purses and jewelry.

Altrusa is accepting donations of new or gently used prom gowns, shoes, jewelry and purses. Please call the numbers below for details and drop off locations. Gowns and accessories may also be brought to the event location on Friday, March 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All donations are tax-deductible.

For more information, call Linda at 330-338-3378 or Shelley at 330-309-6399. Find Altrusa on Facebook at “Altrusa International of Akron.” ∞