ROGERS, Ark. — Community members are joining a grassroots effort to help local teens find the perfect gown and, most importantly, sparkle for any special occasion.
Freedom Finders Arkansas and NWA Single Moms Club are partnering to present a formal wear drive called Gown-tastic.
"I myself did not go to prom," Becky Luther, Gown-tastic's executive director, said. "And I kind of wish I had, so let's make sure that everyone can."
Luther, who is an admin on the NWA Single Moms Club Facebook group, recently received a message from a mom unable to provide a prom gown for her daughter. This need sparked an idea for her and the other members of the group.
Luther said the effort, which has taken off in just a matter of days, is all about celebrating teens and making sure they feel loved.
"I said, 'Girls, this is crazy. But like, can we get free prom gowns into the hands of some of these teen girls?'" she said. "And we just started tossing ideas around and Becca Weiss, one of the other girls I work with, said that she thinks we should do a prom gown drive. And I was like, 'Wow, yes, absolutely.' So this thing has just exploded."
Just days after that conversation, donations have been pouring in for Gown-tastic. The formal wear drive — in its inaugural year — will take place on March 9 at the Hyatt House in Rogers.
Luther said the community's generosity has already exceeded their expectations.
"We have been beyond humbled at the way that individuals donating the gowns, the local businesses donating things like space for this event with the Hyatt House," she said. "We have had another local business Ozark Regional Vein and Artery Center who has stepped forward and offered another storage location if we need it. People are reaching out and saying, 'What can I do to help? How else can we make this gain wings?' And it is flying."
With the rapid success, Luther is excited to see this program grow in the future.
"My goal is today, now, we're going to focus more on gowns," she said. "But in time, we're going to expand to shoes, accessories, jewelry, you know, whatever we see that these teens would benefit from."
Although much more needs to be done before the big day, Luther and her coordinators are ready to celebrate these young women.
"My goal is when you come to this event, and get a prom gown, you are spoiled, that you are bougie, you're feeling like [you're on] top of the world," she said. "And, hopefully, leaving with the dress of your dreams."
You can drop off dresses at the Hyatt House in Rogers. Additional drop-off locations:
- 3810 North Front Street, Suite II, in Fayetteville
- The Haley Boutique at 2011 S. Promenade Blvd. in Rogers
For anyone in need of a gown, you can register for Gown-tastic here. For donating and volunteer opportunities, register here.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.