Program provides donated formalwear for youngsters

By John Ranallo
Published: April 7, 2010, in BDN Connection, Beloit Daily News
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2010/04/07/news/local_news/news701.txt

BELOIT, WISCONSIN - Prom is coming very quickly, and thanks to a local program, teens can dress sharp as they hit the dance floor.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Beloit and School District of Beloit are offering the opportunity for local teens to receive dresses, suits and accessories for no cost as part of the fantastic formal wear project. The mission is to collect and distribute age-appropriate formal clothes to make sure every local high school student can attend the prom.

Donations including accessories, prom dresses, men and women's dress shoes, purses, jewelry, and belts and ties will be accepted from now until April 16 at the Kolak Education Center, 1633 Keeler Ave., from 7 a.m. to noon.

Kathy Pohl, who also operates as school nurse at BMHS, said a similar program was in the works last year. She would like to see the program continue to grow and become a recognized affiliate of Becca's Closet, a national non-profit organization that donates formal dresses to high school girls who are unable to afford them.

"This would be a great opportunity to bring this program to Beloit," she said.

Pohl said a total of 75 dresses and suits have been collected so far with more donations expected. On April 19 students can come to try on prom dresses and formal wear. Pohl said the program is an excellent opportunity to help ease the cost of prom. She believes it will be very helpful considering Beloit's unemployment and the expense cost of for dresses, suits and accessories. Pohl said prom dresses can cost anywhere between $50 and $100.

Pohl plans on hanging up posters at Beloit schools and reaching out to Beloit Turner School District as well. She hopes to get other communities involved and serve as many kids as possible.

"We are hoping that this is only the start," she said.

While most of the volunteers have been assembled, those interested in helping can contact Pohl at kmpohl@sdb.k12.wi.us., or 608-361-3070. They can also contact Cindy Laube at claube@sdb.k12.wi.us., or 608-361-4131. Prom at BMHS is May 1. Formal wear is first come first serve. Pohl is looking forward to helping students find their outfits, and she is urging them to come and try them on. Pohl is hopeful for the program and said she hopes it can serve the surrounding areas and its students.

"We would like it to become bigger and better," she said. "We are going to see how it goes, we are just hoping that people are going to respond."

Pohl said numbers for dresses and suits have not been calculated during spring break. She is hopeful that the number of donations will continue to grow.

"Hopefully there will be some calls on my answering machine at work," she said.