Preprom. Taken by Ken Stokes on May 20, 2005, courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
Their own daughters aren’t even going to the prom this year, but that didn’t stop Sarah Kass and Julie Lauritsen from stepping up to play fairy godmothers for some other budding Cinderellas.
The two San Marcos High moms have gathered a collection of prom dresses to help young women ease some of the financial burdens of preparing for that night of nights.
Along with appealing to girls who may not be able to afford a new prom dress (which can be hundreds and even thousands of dollars), the women are trying to “teach basic accountability as far as you don’t have to waste things and you don’t have to always buy things new,” Kass said.
Lauritsen started requesting dresses by making calls to friends whose daughters had graduated. They’ve already done their first inventory and have gotten Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners, 14 W. Gutierrez St., to donate its services. This week some volunteers will model the dresses at lunchtime to build up some awareness of their availability.
“We’re doing the best we can to make this as exciting and nonissuable,” Lauritsen said. “We’re trying to make it clear that the kids can spend their money on all the extras and borrow a dress and save their money as we go.
“For girls when they have the manicures and the hair and the makeup, let alone the flowers, it’s just ridiculous. Boys can rent their tuxes, and why can’t girls borrow dresses someplace?”
Why indeed. When Lauritsen explained the idea to Kass, she came on board right away.
“She is just so excited about it for all the years to come,” said Lauritsen.