Essex County Prom Dress Donation Will Help In-Need Teens

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Since launching about a decade ago, a partnership between Essex County College and nonprofit Catherine’s Closet has helped hundreds of in-need high school students attend their prom in style.

The prom dress donation event will continue for 2019 at Essex County College’s West Essex campus, where more than 700 new and slightly worn dresses have been donated since 2009.

According to a news release, organizers are shooting for 100 donations this year. Dresses, brought in on hangers, may be taken to the West Essex campus at 730 Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Feb. 14. T Catherine’s Closet will distribute the dresses in time for prom season.

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

Essex County College stated in a news release:

“Catherine’s Closet was formed in 2002 in memory of honor student Catherine Johnson, a Clifford Scott (East Orange) High School student who was struck and killed by a stolen vehicle. Over the years, more than 6,000 area girls have benefitted from the organization.”

Additional information on the College’s drop off site is available at 973-877-6593. Learn more about Catherine’s Closet at: https://www.catherinescloset.org/

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Photo courtesy of Essex County College (Essex County College program organizer Dennia Rentzis, Coordinator of Admissions at the West Essex campus, with a few of the dresses collected for Catherine’s Closet)