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Prom Closet Benefits Sober Grad Night, Students
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Oakdale High School Sober Grad chairperson Dale Farley shows off examples of Winter Formal and Prom dresses and suits that will be part of the “Prom Closet” fundraiser for Sober Grad. Donations for the Prom Closet will be accepted on Saturday, Oct. 17 at OHS. - photo by Dawn M. Henley/The Leader

Everyone needs more room in their closet. Formal dresses take up a lot of room, especially if they’re no longer worn. The same goes for men’s suits and other dress attire. A donation to the “Prom Closet” at Oakdale High School may provide the remedy that an overstuffed closet needs.

The Prom Closet is a new endeavor that will offer a place for students to shop for formal attire in an easy and economical way, and raise money for a good cause at the same time.

On Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. drop offs/donations of formal dresses and men’s dress attire will be accepted at Oakdale High School, 739 West G, in the main hallway at the front of the school, to benefit Oakdale’s Sober Grad Night.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” said Sober Grad Chairperson Dale Farley. “You get to clean out your closet, you get a tax deduction, students get to have beautiful prom clothes, and all the proceeds go to benefit Oakdale Sober Grad Night.”

Farley knows that closet space is a precious commodity and she’s looking forward to having more of it. She has four daughters, the youngest a senior at OHS, and each one of them has had multiple formal dresses that are all taking up closet space at home.

Formal dresses in any length, style, color, and size are sought for the Prom Closet. Also, accessories such as evening shoes, evening bags, wraps, and costume jewelry.

As well, men’s dress shirts, dress slacks (no casual pants), blazers, suits, dress shoes, ties, and belts in various sizes and colors are being sought.

Contemporary and vintage styles will be accepted because students have varied tastes, but there are a few requirements.

“They must be clean, in good repair, and ready to wear,” Farley said.

She added that adult sizes work well for many students — the clothes don’t all have to be small sizes. She commented that many football players are as big as their fathers, so adult sizes are needed too — for both boys and girls.

Farley also said that receipts for the donations will be provided for tax purposes.

After all the Prom Closet items are collected they will be stored in a clean and dry place. Local developer Richard Murdoch has offered one of his units for storing the Prom Closet items.

“We would not be able to do this without his generosity in letting us have a storage unit,” Farley noted.

Students will have the opportunity to shop in the Prom Closet prior to formal school events. Sales for the Winter Formal will take place in December and then in April for the Prom. The sales will be held about two weeks before each event with the date, time, and location to be announced.

Farley noted that most of the time, formal dresses are worn only once and are in excellent condition. She said that most formal dresses retail for $100 to $300, and it’s a stroke of luck to find a prom dress for $100.

With the Prom Closet, those dresses and suits that deserve to be seen can also be part of the “green” movement and be worn again, no longer hiding in the dark recesses of someone’s closet at home.

“Students can get beautiful clothes for a fraction of the price,” Farley said.

She offered as examples that Prom dresses will cost $20, blazers will be $10, and accessories will cost less.

Ongoing donations of items for the Prom Closet are needed and a future drop off/donation point will be determined and announced at a later date for those who are unable to donate their items on Oct. 17.

All proceeds from the Prom Closet will go toward the Oakdale Sober Grad Night fund. The Prom Closet will be an annual fundraiser for Sober Grad.

For anyone interested in making a monetary donation to the Sober Grad Night fund, make checks payable to Oakdale Sober Grad Night, P.O. Box 333, Oakdale, CA 95361. For questions or more information about the Prom Closet or Sober Grad Night, contact Farley via e-mail at dfarleysobergrad@sbcglobal.net or call 918-1848.

Also, more volunteers are sought to serve on the Sober Grad Night Board of Directors. Contact Farley if you are interested.