Woman collects hundreds of prom dresses to donate to teens

SHELBY, N.C. — Heather Wright made it her mission to collect hundreds of prom dresses to donate to teens.

“A prom dress isn’t something that a family can afford, but everybody deserves to get to have a dress,” said Wright, chapter leader of Pamela’s Closet.

The former high school teacher said she noticed the need among her students, so she started a local chapter of the prom dress donation drive Becca’s Closet in 2021.

Pamela’s Closet operates out of the Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Shelby.

The chapter was named in memory of church member and volunteer Pam Callahan.

The group depends on sponsors, including Macy’s and dress boutiques.

It also relies on community members to donate new and preowned gowns.

“Nothing quite beats someone twirling around and knowing this is the dress,” Wright said.

There are plenty of options at Pamela’s Closet. There are about 900 dresses to choose from and about 300 have never been worn with the tags still on them.

The drive is open to all high schoolers.

Pamela’s Closet

Drop-off and distribution location: 1106 Poplar Springs Church Rd., Shelby

Dress drop-off hours:

• Wednesday, Feb. 8: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 9: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dress distribution hours:

• Friday, Feb. 10: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 11: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Channel 9 has recently learned from Pamela’s Closet that they collected 170 dresses during their drive in Shelby this weekend. The group will be sending the dresses to a high school near Waynesville for their prom next month.

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