As homecoming season approaches, BeauCARE Inc. in DeRidder has launched a program to ensure every girl has a formal gown to wear to their school’s dance.
The program, named Belle of the Ball, accepts donations of gently used gowns from the community and then offers them to local girls in need.
“It’s something that we felt very close to our heart about and was actually created by our most recent Rhinestone Roundup sheriff and board member, Kerin Morris,” BeauCARE Director Annette Duplechin said. “She contacted me in early spring with the idea, and we put it together and ran with it.”
Duplechin said the program has already established a small collection of dresses, but recently gained more attention after a young woman stopped by to browse the gowns and was unable to find one for herself.
“An anonymous donor went out and purchased a dress just for this girl, but it really made us want to put more focus on the project to help more girls out there and grow our supply,” Duplechin said.
“We understand that there are a lot of low-income families out there who cannot afford the exorbitant costs incurred with homecoming or prom, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on special times or memories if we can help it.”
Duplechin recently created a page for the program on social media and will be working to add photos of its inventory in the near future.
Any girl who has a need for a dress is asked to stop by the organization’s headquarters at 628 High School Drive and fill out an information form.
Donations of dresses, as well as accessories such as shoes and jewelry, will be accepted year-round. All donations are tax-deductible.
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