AKRON, Ohio – Talk with any high school student and you’ll know that prom season is fast approaching. While asking out dates and choosing a gown should be an exciting time, it can be very stressful and frustrating once families look at the price tags.

That’s why local members of Altrusa International, a volunteer service organization, are holding their 19th annual Princess Night Project to provide girls in Northeast Ohio with new or gently-used prom dresses and accessories at no cost.

“We just feel that prom is a milestone in anyone’s life and we don’t want any girl to be deprived of that,” said organizer Linda Rittenour, who has been in Altrusa International for eight years.

Girls from high schools across the region are invited to this year’s event on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Family of Faith United Methodist Church, 800 E. Market St. in Akron.

Each student who attends will only be asked about how she heard of the event and where she goes to school, so the organization can gauge which areas they are impacting, Rittenour said. No recommendation or qualification is needed.

More than 1,000 gowns will be hanging on racks, along with dress shoes, purses and jewelry. Girls will also receive complimentary makeup and fragrance samples.

“It’s like going to a beautiful boutique,” Rittenour said.

Volunteers will act as “personal shoppers” to help girls select their dresses. Seamstresses will also be on hand to make any minor alterations.

“We’ve had a lot of mothers attend with their daughters and there’s been a lot of happy tears and many, many smiles that day,” Rittenour said. “Many families have shared with us that they would not have been able to attend [prom] if there weren’t means provided to help them.”

Altrusa is accepting dress donations as well as shoes, jewelry, purses and wraps.

“A lot of people don’t have prom dresses around the house, but most women have a nice, dress pair of shoes that they don’t wear anymore, and we could definitely use those,” Rittenour said.

Donations can be dropped off at locations in Akron’s Ellet neighborhood, West Akron, Stow-Munroe Falls and Kent.

If you’re interested in donating, or need more information, call Linda Rittenour at 330-733-1353 or Alice Luse at 330-869-5161.

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