As prom season approaches, Lennox High School Senior, Abby Roeder is offering an opportunity to all girls in the community to shop at the Prom Closet, a free event for all who are looking for the perfect dress to dance the night away.
Abby Roeder, a Senior at Lennox High School, is a member of the National Honor Society and each year members are tasked with creating a better world in their local community. To be a member of the National Honor Society members must meet four basic requirements of scholarship, service, leadership, and character while maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher.
Roeder has been focusing on her project model since prom season last year.
“Last year there were students who did not feel comfortable going to prom because they did not have a dress, and I think everyone should feel included no matter what you wear, so I hope that everyone from Lennox and even surrounding towns feel welcome to come out to this event to find the perfect dress,” Roeder said.
Throughout the years, different prom events have taken place, but Roeder feels that hers stands out as she will not be taking any payment for her dresses.
“Lennox has done a version of the Prom Closet in the past where people have consigned their dresses and they had a sale for students, and we want to make sure that everyone has a dress before prom on April 12,” she said.
The one-day event will take place this Sunday, February 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Prosper Country Warehouse building and all donations are being accepted until Saturday, February 15.
“The Prom Closet is taking in donations of all styles and sizes. Everyone has their own style so it’s nice to have a variety of dresses to choose from,” she said. All shoes, jewelry, and accessories are also accepted to finish styling each dress. “There have even been some vintage dresses and formal dresses that have been donated for those that are into those styles,” Roeder said.
Roeder wanted to open this event up to everyone regardless of income to find the perfect dress for their big night.
“There are families out there who don’t have the extra money or limited funds to spend on a prom dress, I saw this as an opportunity to help students feel amazing for prom without having to worry about the cost of dressing up,” she said.
While there is a limit of one dress per student, there is not a limit on how close to Lennox you need to live to participate.
“We want to make sure everyone in the surrounding area knows about the event as well, it is absolutely free to anyone who needs a dress. Any student can stop in, try on dresses and take home one to wear,” Roeder said.
Thankful for the support she has received while working on the project, Roeder is blessed to have her mother by her side every step of the way.
“It is my responsibility to plan and prepare for this event, and I have had a lot of help from my mom, Amy, who has helped me out with everything I needed. Allie at the Prosper Country Warehouse has been so generous to let us have the event here to keep it local and Courtney from Bride to Bride in Sioux Falls for allowing me to have a drop off tote at her store,” Roeder said.
The project has given Roeder a new outlook on the world before she heads off to Stewart School in Sioux Falls after graduation.
“I am learning that it is not hard to give to others, as a family we have always donated to benefits, picked named for the Giving Tree, and supported community events, this is just one more way to give back, and helping others makes me feel good,” Roeder said.