Mingus Union High School and the Rotary Club of the Verde Valley are hosting their second annual Project Prom Closet to supply free formal wear for students.
The original Project Prom Closet was started by the North Peoria Rotary Club in Phoenix about 12 years ago. They reached out to the Verde Valley club and helped them get their closet started.
Sarah Garrett, of the Hope Center at Mingus, and Lynette Prouty, president of the Rotary Club of the Verde Valley, helped put the event together.
“Partnering with Mingus High School’s Community and Family Outreach and Interact Club is just one way to increase our impact in the local community,” Prouty said. “By working together, we plan to provide new and gently-used prom attire to local high school students for no charge.”
The closet is open to other schools in northern Arizona this year, including schools in Prescott and Flagstaff. Students are welcome to come and browse the free formal wear selection.
The closet is open to anyone regardless of their financial background. “It’s just a really great opportunity for anybody to come through and save a little bit of money, get what they need and go have a night that maybe they wouldn’t have been able to have otherwise,” Garrett said.
The organizers are expecting a much larger event than last year’s closet, at which they gave away around 100 items to students. They did a similar event for homecoming as well, which will return for next year’s dance.
Donations are always welcomed, including long dresses, men’s formal wear, shoes, jewelry and other accessories. They are currently in need of smaller men’s items [under size 38] and larger women’s items.
Donations can be dropped off at Mingus Union High School from Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“Project Prom Closet is an opportunity to accomplish many wonderful things all at once,” Garrett said in a press release. “This event helps our young people enjoy one of life’s memorable moments that may have been out of reach for them. A dress or suit that can be worn a second or third time around means that fewer items are heading off to the landfills. It truly is a win-win.”
The closet will be open for students only on Feb. 28 and March 2 during lunch hours, and will be open to the public on March 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on March 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Lynette Prouty at 928-274-0059 or rlprouty32@gmail.com.
