PHOTOS: 300 Prom Dresses Help Dreams Come True

Prom is a time to remember—but not everyone has the opportunity to experience it.

A special event hosted by (AACC) on Friday provided more than 300 free dresses to local students.

Kimberly Herrera, coordinator for the Student Life Office at AACC, said the event reached out to students in the county who are less fortunate and can’t afford to go to prom.

“There was a student here who lost her father, and she said she couldn’t go to prom, but because of us she’ll be able to go,” Herrera said. “Hearing those kinds of stories is why we do what we do.”

The 330 dresses were donated by the community and dry-cleaned for free by Zips. Students each chose one of the dresses and tried it on for sizing.

“People from on campus, off campus, our students themselves donated them,” Herrera said.

Pageant hosts from the Madison-Donovan Group wearing crowns volunteered their time to offer fashion tips and general guidance on dress selection.

In addition to dresses, students could tour a Mary Kay demo teaching basic makeup and styling techniques, and a hair styling demo by Kelly Wilson. After the main event, students hung around to do some scrapbooking and enjoy treats and refreshments. 

Every student who attended was entered in a raffle to win gift cards, scrapbook materials, products from area businesses and more.

Local businesses from Severna Park and Annapolis that participated in the event included , , , , , , Olive Garden, Origins and .