Local high school students collecting used formal dresses for those in need

Unsplash // Todd Cravens Photo:

PARK CITY, Utah — Prom is a memorable time for any high schooler, but expenses for the formal event can add up quickly.

That’s why two local students are working together to collect gently-used formal dresses to lend to students who may not be able to afford to purchase one this prom season.

Ashley Tettelbach, a student at Park City High School, and Audrey Garringer, a student at the Academy for Math Engineering, and Science in Murray, first came up with the idea to gather formal dresses after they attended a homecoming dance last year.

Similar Reads On TownLift

“Ashley and I went to a dress shop to get homecoming dresses and it was a fun “Say Yes to the Dress” type experience,” Garringer said. “We were talking about how dress shopping is a memorable part of high school but many girls don’t have the ability to do that.”

“It was like a really fun experience, and we just thought it’d be fun for like other people to have the same experience,” Tettelbach said. “I think it would mean a lot to them, and it would make them feel pretty and stuff.”

The girls are now collecting dresses to distribute for free to students in the Salt Lake area at a pop-up shop event on Tuesday, April 18 from 5-8 p.m. at the Marriott Residence Inn in Murray.

Those in need of a prom dress can contact Tettelbach and Garringer through their Instagram account, @thepromprojectslc. Gently-used dress donations can be dropped off at Edgemont Cleaners at 8178 Gorgoza Pines Road in Park City.

“We are so grateful for everyone who has helped!” Garringer said. “All the people who have donated dresses, Trailside and Edgemont cleaners who are donation spots, and The Marriott Residence Inn in Murray who donated a meeting room to hold our event.”