Prom dreams can come true for teens

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri girls doubting their families have the means for them to attend their respective high school proms are in luck.

At least two groups have found a way to give local teenagers their Cinderella fairytale for one day.

Prom costs can vary greatly -- anywhere from $175 to $2,100, according to Prom Girl, an online prom store.

Between tickets, attire, shoes, accessories, flowers, limousines, photographers and after-parties, the average family with a high school student attending the prom spent $807 in 2011, according to a recent survey by Visa.

Project Prom Southeast Missouri, which officially kicked off Jan. 6 under the direction of Tamara Draper of Morehouse, offers previously worn prom and bridesmaid dresses ranging in sizes 0 to 30 to local teens. In addition, the project provides shoes, jewelry, accessories as well as hair, makeup and nail services -- and it's all free.

"I posted online [via social site Facebook] that I'd like to do this and be able to help provide dresses for girls who couldn't afford a dress for the prom," Draper recalled. "... We went full force and jumped in with both feet."

The response was even better than she'd anticipated.

The city of Morehouse is allowing Draper and fellow "fairy godmothers" to use space at the vacant school building, and the fire department is also helping sponsor the cause.

"We've already started helping girls," Draper said. "What we found we're doing -- more than giving out dresses, jewelry and getting their hair done -- it's about making dreams come true."

Once we have inventoried, cleaned and separated dresses per school district we then will appoint a "Fairy Godmother" to assist the young ladies with their "shopping" with Project Prom. Girls can also choose from shoes and accessories to go along with their dress.

"We let the girls come in and shop and see the dresses. They pick out what dress and shoes they want," Draper said. "We want to involve the mothers and single dads, too."

Another project geared to helping teens, "Dreams to Reality," headed by Cindy Taylor of rural Sikeston offers prom, bridesmaid and bridal gowns, shoes, make up, hair accessories for junior high and high school girls as well as future brides at no cost to them.

"So far, we have helped 12 girls from five different schools -- and two brides. We also do weddings," Taylor said.

Taylor, who is running the service out of her home, said she's looking for a building to operate from and store items. She said she officially began the endeavor Jan. 13 after some local teenage girls asked her to help them.

"I helped with getting the skate park in Sikeston and some of the girls told me it wasn't fair I helped all the boys. I said if you don't skate, what can I do?" Taylor said. "They said organize free prom dresses."

Taylor said dress sizes currently range from 0 to 22.

Both groups also said they have a limited collection of men's apparel available, and they provide the opportunity for photos to be taken of the girls the day of their event.

"I just really feel that every girl gets a chance to feel like a princess without the pressure of knowing her parents can't afford it," Taylor said.

High schools served through Project Prom include Sikeston, Richland, East Prairie, Charleston, Scott County Central, Oran, Kelly and Chaffee.

Draper noted Project Prom's sister project, "Cinderella Proms," offers the same free services to teens in Cape Girardeau and Jackson and uses the same guidelines.

"We don't check incomes and we make sure the girls' names are not released, and we ensure no color pictures of the dresses are available," Draper said, adding this allows for confidentiality of Project Prom users.

Taylor said she also has an application for users to fill out.

Having not attended her own prom due to financial reasons, Barbara Squires of Miner said she jumped at the chance to help Draper with the Prom Project.

"I hem and take in the dresses," the seamstress said.

Draper also noted the project is serving many plus-sized girls who otherwise may not have attended their proms. Many of the dresses are smaller sizes, however, dresses are being altered to fit plus-sized girls.

"We have a wonderful seamstress. She's putting panels in a dress, and I have to find fabric that matches the dress," Draper said.

Draper said the project is comprised of strangers helping strangers who are helping teens they don't even know be able to attend their high school proms.

"We have women who are willing to help and make that night for these girls," Draper said.

Project Prom receives cosmetics from a woman who lives in Canada and dresses from a sorority in Louisiana. A private St. Louis donor also sends dresses. The group has also received dresses from local residents.

"We're helping to build these girls' confidence and their dignity because no one can take that way from them and they get to be beautiful," Draper said.

From hair pins, hair spray, make up and fake nails to fabric, donated supplies and dresses are needed, Squires said.

"Anything and everything is appreciated," Squires said.

"It's giving a girl a special day in their life that may never happen again," Squires said. "With the economy the way it is, to see the smiles on the girls' faces -- and me not going to my own prom -- has helped me put forth an effort in helping these girls and making that one day special for them."

For more information about Project Prom, visit its Facebook group page, "Project Prom" or email Draper at tj.draper12@gmail.com or tj.draper1@hotmail.com. To learn more about "Dreams to Reality," contact Taylor at (573) 380-4189.