KC-area church makes prom manageable for students, families
LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Prom can be stressful and expensive, so a local church is working to make the big day a little easier for local families.
Volunteers at Woods Chapel Church in Lee’s Summit have hosted the free prom boutique for 19 years now, giving away tuxedos, accessories, and more than 23,000 dresses to local students.
North Kansas City automotive students fixing car for Maui fire victim
“It’s just an awesome feeling to know that we’re helping people in a way that may seem trivial to some people, but to these young ladies and these young men, it means everything,” Public Relations Chair for the church’s prom boutique Christy Barber said.
Braedyn Gooding is one student taking advantage of the opportunity.
“It was really good,” Gooding said. “I only had to try on like three dresses before I found this one.”
Gooding visited with her boyfriend’s grandma, Sue Helper, who said volunteers helped her grandson find his first-ever tuxedo.
“Let’s just face it. Everything is so expensive now. These kids are struggling. We’re struggling,” Helper said. “And so, to give them the opportunity… actually after walking through these doors yesterday, I told them, I’m volunteering here next year.”
FOX4 newsletters: Get the latest news delivered to your inbox
Barber said they’ve had families travel from hours away, showing the need for something like this in the community.
“We want everybody to have that opportunity to enjoy their high school years and the special night that you don’t really get to do after you’re out of school,” Barber said.
If you have prom dresses, accessories, or tuxedos that you no longer need, the prom boutique accepts donations year-round at the church, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.