The Hamilton Area YMCA's Togetherhood Service Committee is hosting a prom and formalwear drive this weekend, March 5 and 6.
HAMILTON -- The Hamilton Area YMCA recognizes prom dresses and accessories are so expensive that some families' high schoolers simply cannot attend the annual dance.
So for the first time, the YMCA has launched the Togetherhood Service Committee and said the group is hosting a prom and formalwear drive to benefit high school students who may not have the means to attend their prom.
"Every high school student deserves the chance to go to the prom," Togetherhood's Chair Mary Ann Heenehan said. "But there are hidden costs that can keep some students from being able to realize that dream."
According to a survey conducted by Visa, the average family in 2015 spent $919 to send one child to prom.
"The items we collect will make it a little easier for students in our community to have that classic high school experience," Heenehan said.
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The YMCA's Togetherhood members will be collecting gently-used cocktail or formal dresses, suits, tuxedos, jewelry, evening bags, ties and anything else a prom goer would need to have the perfect night.
The drive is the first project for Togetherhood - which launched in January - and will run this Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6, at the YMCA's JKR building at 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd. in Hamilton.
"Togetherhood is about giving back to the community," Hamilton Area YMCA CEO David Kisselback said. "The YMCA has a unique ability to bring people together in support of one another and our formalwear drive is a great example of that."
The drive is open to the entire community, not just those in the Hamilton Area YMCA, Togetherhood members said.
Hours to drop off items at the Hamilton Area YMCA JKR branch are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday March 5 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday March 6.
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.