In March 2013, the Whitefish Bay Public Library (WFB Library) held their inaugural prom dress donation drive. With over 150 dresses collected, the drive will culminate in a Prom Dress Party this Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the WFB Library in the 2nd floor Program Room. The WFB Library is located at 5420 N. Marlborough Drive. At the party, area high school girls will be able to try on and select a free prom dress. All they need to bring is their high school ID card to participate. There will also be giveaways, refreshments, and a screening of the movie “Prom.”
The idea was that of Brittany Khatib, a library science major at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, who works in the youth and adult departments at WFB Library. Krista Hutley, Administrative Services Librarian at WFB Library, has been mentoring Khatib and also helped coordinate this project:
“I recently read an article in ‘USA Today' from 2012 stating that, on average, families plan on spending around $1000, with around $200-$300 going on the dress alone. Prom is a big event in our high schools, and we wanted to work within the community to make sure that it’s a special night for everyone. Part of the library’s mission is to be a gathering place for ideas and resources that benefit the community, and this seemed like a fun way to build on that goal,” explained Khatib.
When asked what will be done with any unclaimed dresses, Hutley responded, “We hope to not have any dresses left! But any unclaimed dresses will be donated. Our hope is to find a similar event to pass the dresses to, like Cinderella Project MKE.”
Khatib also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make her idea a reality:
“There are many individuals to thank, but Krista...This even wouldn’t be possible without her support. I would also like to thank Cassie Medved, Whitefish Bay High School Librarian. She has made it possible to connect with the local teens. Finally...all of the library staff for being so enthusiastic about helping with the program, and...the Whitefish Bay community.”
For more information about the Prom Dress Party, go to the Whitefish Bay Public Library page on Facebook.
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