AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Austin ISD is partnering with the Write To Me Foundation to host the 16th annual PROMRack event Saturday, April 6 from 1:30 - 6 p.m. at Lanier Early College High School.
The annual event provides free prom dresses and accessories through a personalized shopping experience to high school girls in the Austin and Central Texas area.
"Girls are pampered with a personal shopping experience that not only transforms them externally but in how they feel about themselves," said a PROMRack release. "PROMRack hopes to break formative barriers to rite of passage experiences and promote confidence and inclusivity."
To participate, girls must be high school students with a valid school ID. Homeschooled girls are also welcome. Participants must sign up on Eventbrite to attend and must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18.
Dresses are on a first-come, first-serve basis and participants are encouraged to wear tights or clothing that will allow them to try dresses on over it as dressing rooms are limited.
The event started as the Prom Princess Project in 2003 when a local girl wanted to help girls in foster care attend their school proms. In 2005, the project became part of the Write to Me Foundation, founded by Gigi Edwards Bryant, and became PROMRack.
Donations of new or gently used short and long formal dresses, evening shoes, handbags and jewelry are welcomed all year round at any Westbank Dry Cleaning locations. According to PROMRack, donations of dresses size 0-4, size 16-22 and size 24+ are especially needed.
Donations can also be dropped off by calling the Texas Department of Family Protective Services at 512-900-7827.