Free prom dresses are available

Guardian Angel Community Services has partnered with the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s office,  Justice Assistance Board, Catholic Charities and the  Grundy County No Tolerance Task Force to collect new and gently used prom dresses, which will be distributed  to area teens at no cost.

All teens have to do is attend a two-hour pre-prom “Dating Safely” course, where they will learn steps that they can take to increase their safety on prom night and beyond. Their dates are welcomed to attend with them.

Complete the class, and then schedule a time to come in and pick out a dress during the effort’s “shopping days.” Door prizes for gift certificates for nails, flowers, hair salons are also available during the shopping day.

“Dating Safely” courses will be held Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at Catholic Charities, 201 N. Liberty St., Suite 251 in Morris, and Wednesday, March 14 from 5-7 p.m. at Coal City Village Hall, 515 S. Broadway St., Coal City. The Shopping Day is planned for Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at Catholic Charities in Morris.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Call Erin Boucek-Gilmartin at Guardian Angel (815) 729-0930, ext. 536 to register.

To donate new or gently-used 2006 through 2011 dresses, shoes, purses and/or accessories for this year’s Grundy County, Prom N’ Aid Program, call Paula Goodwin at NTTF at (815) 941-3130 or Rachelle Fisher at Catholic Charities (815) 941-2560.

If you have no dress to donate but would still like to help, you may consider donating accessories, services, gift cards and/or financial support.

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WANT TO HELP?

• Call Paula Goodwin at NTTF at (815) 941-3130 or Rachelle Fisher at Catholic Charities at (815) 941-2560 if you would like to help with the 2012 Grundy County Prom N’ Aid Program