Apex church collecting dresses, accessories for annual prom shop

The other week, while closet cleaning, I made the decision to keep my prom dress. The short, black number with little bows on the straps isn't anything special. It's a little faded and dusty now and definitely out of date. But what are special are the memories of a fun night with friends many, many years ago, wearing my very first formal dress.

So my own prom was fresh in my mind when Stacy Kivett, a stay at home mom in Apex, emailed me about her church's annual prom store for underprivileged girls. Kivett and other volunteers hope to make prom just as special for those girls too.

"Every young girl dreams of wearing a beautiful dress on two special days, her prom and her wedding," Kivett wrote me. "It is our hope that we can make this dream come true for at least one of these special days."

The church collects formal wear and donations all year for the prom store. All donations are tax deductible. Kivett said they still need more dresses and other items, particularly gowns in larger sizes. Anytime Dry Cleaners in Apex has donated dry cleaning services for the dresses.

Kivett also wants to get the word out about The Prom Shoppe to girls who might need some help getting ready for the prom. They have sent information to local high school guidance counselors across the region, along with agencies that serve needy kid and families. Shoppers don't need to register or sign up to attend, they can just show up, Kivett said.

"This is for girls who are really in need," Kivett said.