SSHS junior gives prom dresses to needy girls

South Side High School junior Sarah Richman has collected almost 500 prom dresses to donate to girls in need. Later this month, Richman, 16, and volunteers will host events in the South Bronx where girls will have a chance to select a free graduation or prom dress, accessories, and a hair and makeup tutorial for their special day.

Each young woman will be paired up with a volunteer “personal shopper” to make the experience the complete celebration package. Many of the girls do not have the resources to buy a dress for their prom.

Richman is calling her efforts Project Princess, because of her belief that every young woman deserves the opportunity to celebrate graduation and to feel like a princess at prom. She understands that many of these girls have overcome significant obstacles to be able to graduate, and that’s even more reason for them to celebrate their achievements in style.

Richman has been moved by the response of the community and has enjoyed returning calls and arranging dress pickups every day after school. Samantha Schwartz, 11, of Westchester was inspired by this project and has collected over 100 dresses to donate to Project Princess. The events will be held on April 25 at Phipps Neighborhoods Cornerstone Center at Sotomayor Houses, and on May 9 at East Bronx Academy for the Future. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up at http://goo.gl/forms/LGkr9hzo2O. To donate dresses contact amarino@phippsny.org. Richman is collecting dresses until May 1.