PROM DRESSES

From the Crane Chronicle

Reeds Spring woman collecting free prom dresses for girls in Stone County

February 15, 2023

by Kadee Brosseau DeCourley

A Reeds Spring woman wants to make sure that girls in Stone County have access to a beautiful dress this prom season, no matter their family’s financial abilities.

“I believe that our students are our future and I want to give back any way that I can,” Life-long Reeds Spring Resident Joelene Powell said. “There is a need, more than ever, to help not only our community, but those in the surrounding communities.”

Powell is helping local girls whose families cannot afford prom dresses by collecting donations of gently used, or new, dresses of all styles and sizes.

“I, personally, know what it is to grow up in a large family and finding it hard to have extra money for extra curricular activities, especially things like prom. If [the money] isn't there, it isn't there, but how fun would it be to have the opportunity to shop and see what you could find without fear of not having enough money!” Powell said.

People who would like to donate dresses can contact Powell by calling her cell phone at 417-294-7624 or by emailing her at joelenepowell1123@gmail.com. Donations may also be dropped off at Little Sprouts Boutique in Branson West. Ask for Korina Jones and tell her the donation is for Joelene.

Powell’s hope is to collect 50 to 100 dresses this first year and she hopes to collect even more next year.

“I want to help give those young ladies who otherwise would not be able to afford to go to prom, the opportunity to attend the last major social event of the year with her friends. It’s an event where they get to dress up, look elegant, and have the joy of being a teen. It is a moment in time where they get to dance and laugh, away from the struggles of the outside world,” Powell said.

Donations can be given now through February 28. There will be a pop-up shop on Saturday, March 4. It will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reeds Spring High School. Students at Reeds Spring and surrounding schools are invited to participate. Girls wanting to receive a dress are asked to bring a donation of food or money for the local food pantry in exchange for the free dress.

“Students will receive one free prom dress of their choosing, with a donation to the food pantry. The idea of this is also to benefit the food pantry at Reeds Spring High School. Its shelves need restocking and this is a great way to do so. This way, we not only help a young lady's dreams of going to prom come true, but we are also helping to put food in the hands of the students that need it within our community,” Powell said.

Powell said she is already overwhelmed by the response and generosity of the community and thanks those who are helping to make girls’ prom dreams come true this spring.

“The individuals in our community who have already reached out to say ‘yes’ to helping with this project have gone above and beyond. Their hearts are so big, even more than I had hoped. I cannot wait to see how this grows one year from now. While this is my first year of doing this, it will not be the last. I believe this is just the beginning of greater things to come. We are a community that gives and believes in helping our children succeed and walk into success,” Powell said.