Local YMCAs, YWCA collecting dresses for annual prom dress sale

The Greater Kingsport Family YMCA and Unicoi County Family YMCA are collaborating with the YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia to collect gowns, dresses, shoes, clutches and jewelry throughout the month of February for the YWCA Prom Dress Sale on March 10, 11 and 12.

Prom night is an important part of life for the teenage girls in our community. However, the cost of formalwear and accessories is a struggle many families face in our area. The Greater Kingsport Family YMCA and Unicoi County Family YMCA are collaborating with the YWCA to ensure every girl in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia has access to affordable formalwear for her prom night.

This year marks the 13 year that the YWCA has hosted a Prom Dress Drive. The YWCA is looking for, and the YMCA’s will be collecting donations of; new or gently used gowns and formal dresses, shoes, clutches or handbags and jewelry. Gowns and dresses sizes 14 to 28 are especially needed.

“Our YMCA gathered prom dresses and accessories in 2019 for the YWCA and it was a big success.” Said Jonathan Albarado, Director of Marketing Strategies at the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA. “When the YWCA reached out to us to see if we wanted to help out again, we knew we had to say yes! Our members and community donated enough dresses to fill multiple clothes racks the last time we did this and we think we can get just as many this year.”

This is the first year that the Unicoi County Family YMCA will participate in the YWCA Prom Dress Drive and with their help, the YWCA hopes it will increase donations and raise awareness to another area in our region.

President and CEO of Unicoi County Family YMCA Robert Kell said, “We are always looking for opportunities to partner with other non-profits in our area and through this prom dress drive, we were able to partner with two great organizations. We are excited for the opportunity to help out the girls not only in our community but the Northeast Tennessee region so that they can have a wonderful night with their friends.”

For more information about the Prom Dress Project, please contact Heather Smith at YWCA NETN and SWVA at [email protected].