'It's an outpouring of love.' Jackson Bear Hugs provides free prom attire to area students

GREEN ‒ Anna Rivera beamed as she looked at herself in the mirror.

The delicate details on the strapless blue floor-length gown sparkled under the lights.

"I think this is it," the Washington High School senior said.

Rivera was among a group of about 30 Massillon students who visited the Jackson Bear Hugs pop-up prom boutique on Wednesday.

It's the third time the Stark County group has opened its boutique to offer prom attendees a chance to pick out a free dress, shoes and accessories.

If she hadn't visited the free shop, Rivera would have likely thrifted for the senior prom. She's done that for other formal dresses, including the gown she wore recently for the Miss Massillonian competition.

"I've never spent more than $70 (for a formal dress)," the 18-year-old said. "It's nice I could come and find something for free. Even alterations, which can be expensive."

What is the Jackson Bear Hugs prom program?

For the past three weeks students from more than 16 school districts in Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties have visited the shop for a personalized shopping experience. This year the group expects to outfit more than 600 students.

More: PROMise in Purple Pop-up Prom Shop offers free prom attire

The dresses, suits, shoes, accessories, hair care and self-care items are donated by community members as well as special occasion dress shops, including Linde's Bridal & Prom in Massillon, Lavender Bridal Salon in Dover and Abbott's Bridal and Formalwear in North Canton.

The shop is manned by volunteers. Six sewists alter the clothing to ensure a perfect fit.

"It's an outpouring of love," organizer Lisa Flagg said. "It really is tremendous. It moves your heart. There are tears of joy and love every day. You can't help but feel the love."

Flagg said not only is the prom shop providing attire, it also is creating a positive space for the students.

Jackson Bear Hugs: Meet Katherine White, founder of Jackson Bear Hugs

"It's so exciting when they encourage each other," she said. "It's a pick-me-up."

Positive words in a positive place

As each student stepped out of the dressing room to reveal their prom dress, their peers cheered and offered encouraging words.

"You're beautiful," one student yelled while another pointed out it was the perfect dress.

Junior Maelynn Johnson was nervous when she stepped into the shop but was put to ease by volunteer Terri Miller.

Insecurities about her body worried Johnson. She didn't know if she could find a suitable dress. All that changed when Miller took her under her wing.

"She said I could say yes or no but she pointed out that I would look beautiful in that dress," the 16-year-old said. "When I came out they (students) told me I looked beautiful."

Miller, a first-time volunteer, was happy to help. The experience has been a lot of fun and she hopes to continue to help prom dreams come true.

Jackson Bear Hugs pop-up program details

The success of the prom store is a group effort dependent on the generosity of the community and volunteers, said Emily Evans, founder of Jackson Strong Facebook page and event organizer.

The store has more than 500 formal gowns; almost half are new with tags. One dress was marked $579. They also have men's shirts, suits and shoes and an array of ties and bow ties.

Besides the donation of attire, the organization gets help from DeHoff Development, which provided a free space for the store, and from the Massillon VFW, which provided a $3,000 donation to purchase lunch for the visiting students.

Jackson Bear Hugs founder Katherine White said the event has grown each year. In the first year, they provided prom attire to about 300 students.

The pop-up boutique, at 5948 Mayfair Road in Green just north of the Jackson Township border, will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Alterations are not offered during the public event.

Donations for the shop are always welcome. To make a donation, email Jacksonbarhugsprom@gmail.com. The group has an Amazon wish list.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Jackson Bear Hugs outfits hundreds of students for prom for free