There are all kinds of social pressures in high school.  One of the hardest is when a student can't afford to participate in events the other kids don't have to think twice about paying for.  One local businesswoman is trying to take that problem away for girls who want to go to their prom but can't afford a dress.  Her office is holding the third annual Frannie Haranin State Farm Prom Dress Give-away event tomorrow.

"We collect used, slightly worn bridesmaids and prom dresses from women in the community," Haranin says.  "We clean them lightly or do minor alterations if we can.  Then we invite any high school girl in the area to come in and get a prom dress for free on a Saturday in April.  We have punch and cookies.  We turn the offices into dressing rooms so the girls can come in and try them on.  We try to make it a fun and special day."

Three years ago Haranin decided to hold the drive.  Her office had just opened and she was thinking about a way to give back to the community.  Donors responded generously.  The first year about 100 dresses were donated.  Last year contributions increased, and today there are about 250 dresses to choose from. 

"They come from women who hear about the drive and would love some extra space in their closets," Haranin says.

Dresses are donated to other charities that need formal gowns through the year, but the main focus is on high school girls who can't afford a new dress.  The first year 19 dresses were given away, and last year 38.

"That was a good bump," says Haranin.  "I hope we can exceed that this year.  If we give away one dress to someone that needs it and can use it I am happy.  I'd love to be able to give away 50 dresses."


In the past two years Haranin handed the event coordination to Evelyn Ambriz.  Ambriz is a sales representative in the State Farm office who worked there while at Cornell, then was convinced to stay after she graduated.

"That was the first responsibility I gave her," Haranin says.  "She doubled the number of dresses we gave away in the second year and got the word out, so we're hoping for a really great turnout this year, too.  I loved watching Evelyn take a leadership role and run with it."

Haranin says that some people think that because the dresses are used that they are old or out of style, but that is not the case.  Many are ready to wear as-is, while some of the girls modify their choice to make it uniquely their own.

"A teacher from Ithaca High was here yesterday and she said she assumed they were old '80s dresses," Haranin says.  "She went back to look and said 'these are really cute.'  We have had girls say 'I'm going to add a sash,' or 'I'm going to make it short'."


The office uses Facebook and local networking events to get the word out to potential donors.  Flyers are sent to surrounding schools to alert them that donations are welcome, and to get the word to girls who may want to attend the event.  She offers the dresses to girls from as far as Elmira and Southern Cayuga as well as Tompkins County in the hope that more girls will take advantage of the opportunity.

"Everyone in the community has been wonderful with donations," Haranin says.  "But we feel that there are more girls out there that could benefit from a free prom dress."

This year's give-away event is tomorrow, April 13 from 11-3 at 222 Elmira Road, Suite 2 in the Ithaca Shopping Plaza.

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