Gently Used Prom Dresses Wanted For Princess Project

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The San Diego County Library currently again this year is working as collaborative "fairy godmothers" with The Princess Project, a nonprofit that provides free prom and quinceanera dresses and accessories to high school teens, who could not otherwise afford them.

All 33 county library branches are collecting gently used gowns and accessories through April 15.

The dresses must be dry-cleaned, on hangers and no more than five years old. All styles, sizes and lengths -- providing they are stylish and appropriate for young women -- will be accepted, along with jewelry, evening clutches and bags. No shoes, however, organizers said.

Teens must sign up online to attend the giveaway events, where they can pick, try on and choose from racks of gowns, by visiting the Princess Project website.

The giveaways will take place at Westfield Mission Valley Mall and the South Chula Vista, El Cajon and Vista library branches, however, teens from any high school throughout San Diego County can sign up. (See details below.)

Moms, dads and friends are welcome to attend to give "second opinions," and for some parents seeing their daughters try on gowns and transform into young women can be emotional, library organizers said, having witnessed tears over the past seven years since the giveaways began.

“It’s not a true gown giveaway until Mom cries,” said El Cajon Youth Services Librarian Fumiko Osada. “We’ve had a lot of moms cry and thank us through their tears.”

Osada also recalled a special, father-and-daughter moment, where dad preferred a simple gown, while the daughter's choice was one featuring ample bling. To make him happy, the girl chose the simple dress, yet the father clearly could see the embellished gown was her true wish, Osada said.

"He wanted her to be happy, too," Osada said. "Dad told his daughter she was beautiful, just like her mother and it didn’t matter which dress she chose. Yes, she chose her favorite."

And if teens find their selected dress are too long or don't quite fit right, the El Cajon giveaway hosts a volunteer who comes each year to alter the gowns, library officials said. "Teens walk out the door with their dresses ready to wear to the big event," organizers said.

See list of library locations here. Read more on The Princess Project here.

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