(Omaha, NE) -- Omaha Public Schools are asking for the community's help to get prom dresses to students who otherwise may not be able to afford one.
OPS, in partnership with Max I. Walker, Von Maur, Dillard’s and the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, are hosting the Say Yes to the Prom Dress Donation Drive now through April 9th.
The school district says the goal is to collect 2,021 new or gently used prom dresses in a range of sizes. Donations will be accepted in the lobby of the Teacher Administration Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A donation receipt from OPSF will be provided.
OPS says on Saturday, April 17th, they will invite students to the TAC Boardroom to select a dress of their choice. Pre-registration for the event will be required to ensure adherence to local health and safety guidelines. The district is in the process of finalizing dates and details for upcoming spring outdoor prom celebrations at each of its seven high schools.
“Many OPS families have experienced unimaginable financial hardship in the midst of this global pandemic,” said Toba Cohen Dunning, Executive Director for the Omaha Public Schools Foundation. “This event will help alleviate some of the burden experienced by families by providing young ladies with a donated prom dress to wear as they celebrate one of the pinnacle events of high school.”
The district says their hope is to remove potential barriers that might prevent a student from participating in Prom. “COVID-19 prevented seniors from participating in proms and graduation ceremonies last spring,” said Superintendent Cheryl Logan. “This year, we want the community to join us in helping create a particularly memorable experience for our high school juniors and seniors.”
For anyone interested in making a financial donation to support the event may do so online here or by mailing a check to:
Omaha Schools Foundation
ATTN: Say Yes to the Prom Dress
3861 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE 68131
Checks can be made out to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, with a designation for the check to go to the Say Yes to the Prom Dress Drive.