As prom season comes to a close, a Girard mother and daughter team have started collecting used dresses to donate to needy girls come next spring.
Jamie Kiehlmeier, 35, and her daughter Jessica Kiehlmeier, 17, have collected 16 formal prom dresses in the last month and a half. Jamie Kiehlmeier said she recently ordered 50 used dresses to add to their supply.
The Kiehlmeiers’ campaign, called “Share the Prom,” was inspired by similar efforts in other northwestern Pennsylvanian communities. The work of Family Services of Northwest Pennsylvania, which lacked the resources to host its prom dress donation program this year, stood out to Jamie Kiehlmeier.
“Share the Prom” is collecting dresses, shoes, purses, suits, jackets and slacks, as well as clothing racks and dry cleaning services.
“It is amazing seeing a young ladies face light up knowing now she can go to prom and not worry about the cost of a dress,” said Kiehlmeier, in an e-mail.
Donations can be made at Girard High School from Wednesday until Friday.
The Kiehlmeiers have also set up year-round donation centers at Mister Pizza at 312 W 31st St and Amy Liebel’s Cutting Crew at 2016 Water St. in Erie.
Jamie Kiehlmeier said she posted listings for “Share the Prom” on Facebook, Craigslist and Freecycle.
For more information about “Share the Prom,” contact ShareTheProm@yahoo.com or check it out on Facebook.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
