A local charitable organization wants everyone to feel special on prom night or graduation day, regardless of their financial situation, so it's offering dresses, suits, shoes, bags, and jewelry for free.
FreeHelpCK will hold the fifth annual Prom Graduation Giveaway at the Downtown Chatham Centre this spring.
"We have over 500 glamorous dresses, suits, shoes, and jewelry, ready to be given away," the organization said in a Facebook post. "We have an incredible variety of styles, colors, and sizes to suit everyone's unique taste and body shape."
"Last year we gave out 497 dresses [and] suits," FreeHelpCK's Geri Ann Hughson said.
A window display will start to go up at the DCC this weekend, though doors won't open until 11 a.m. on March 15.
Volunteers and donations are welcome. Donations can be dropped off at 35 Oxley Drive, or at the mall either in the store, or in a bin right outside.
"It's incredible to witness the impact this initiative has had over the years," the organization said on social media. "Being able to help students celebrate and cherish these important milestones without worrying about the financial burden is truly rewarding."
There will also be a special day in May, with professional makeup artists and photographers available to complete and capture everyone's transformation.
Hughson told CK News Today that making formal occasions special isn't the organization's only initiative. FreeHelpCK also:
prepares and delivers meals for seniors every Monday and Thursday and on holidays
runs a year-round 'Adopt a Senior' program
fills food pantries in CK twice a week
runs a community garden
hands out school essentials during Operation Backpack
"Last year, we gave out almost 1,500 [backpacks] to youths in Chatham-Kent," Hughson said.
Anyone looking for more information about FreeHelpCK can find it here.
