Essex County Prom Dress Donation Drive Is ‘True Labor Of Love’

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — A “true labor of love” will return in time for the 2020 prom season, organizers say: Essex County College’s annual dress drive.

Since 2009, Essex County College’s West Essex campus has been partnering with nonprofit Catherine’s Closet to collect and donate prom dresses to in-need high school students.

Over the past 11 years, Essex County College has helped to funnel more than 700 new and slightly used gowns to Catherine’s Closet, which has redistributed them to local high school students who can’t afford their own.

Dresses, brought in on hangers, may be taken to the West Essex campus at 730 Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday until Feb. 28. Additional information on the drop off site is available at 973-877-6593.

Gowns must be “clean, age-appropriate, current and on hangers,” organizers said. Designer gowns and large sizes are especially needed. Dresses that do not qualify for Catherine’s Closet are donated to local charities.

The prom project is “a true labor of love” that draws the campus community together, said program organizer Dennia Rentzis, coordinator of admissions at the school’s campus in West Caldwell.

This year’s goal – 100 dresses – raises the bar from past years. But given the outstanding track record of generosity surrounding the event, the number is certainly attainable, organizers said.

Catherine’s Closet has its own ties – and origin – in Essex County. Launched after Catherine Johnson, a 14-year-old honor student at Clifford Scott High School in East Orange lost her life in a crash, the group honors a heartbreaking detail about the tragedy: Johnson was buried in her prom dress.

Learn more about the nonprofit and its namesake.

“It’s hard to believe this is our 12th year of working with Catherine’s Closet,” Rentzis said. “I look forward to all the donations we receive and being able to help girls in the community attend prom, which is one of the most special milestones in a young woman’s life.”

“Programs such as the prom project highlight our college’s proud history of service to the community,” President Anthony Munroe agreed.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Caldwells Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.