Prom dress sale for needy teens set in Elgin

Prom may serve as the culmination of high school for many teens.

But between the tickets, the dress, the photos, and flowers, it can be one expensive affair.

A Saturday event at Elgin's YWCA aims to make sure that the neediest young women aren't left out.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the YWCA on Chicago Street will host "Wish Upon a Wardrobe," where high school girls can come in and shop for a prom dress, accessories, clutches and makeup for a total of $20.

"It's going to be so much fun," Chief Executive Officer Julia McClendon said. "You will not believe how they've fixed this room up."

The YMCA's Elgin Room will be transformed into a faux department store-complete with over 500 dresses, changing cubicles, and even a station for minor alterations.

About 30 volunteers have signed up as "personal shoppers" to help girls choose their prom night outfits, and consultants will be available to help with hair and makeup suggestions.

From 10 a.m. to noon, the sale will be open only to junior and senior girls identified by Elgin Area School District U-46, Community Unit District 300, and Central Community Unit District 301 counselors as needing extra help financing prom.

The remaining two hours are open to the public.

This is the second year the YWCA and Elgin Junior Service Board have put on the sale. Last year, McClendon said, the event was much smaller-with only 150 dresses donated.

"This year, from putting out pleas on Facebook and in the newspaper and to all the women's' clubs we have gotten an overwhelming response," she said.

Dresses run the gamut of styles-short and long, vintage and modern, McClendon said. All have been pressed and are ready to wear.

Next year, the event will be even bigger, when the YWCA and Junior Service Board take over the Junior League of Kane and DuPage County's "Cinderella's Closet," which provides hundreds of dresses to underprivileged girls.

For more information, call (847) 742-7930 or e-mail dwhite@ywcaelgin.org.