Perfect prom dresses just a donation away

For many teenage girls, picking a prom dress is the biggest decision they’ve ever had to make.

But in tough economic times, funding the dress may be a bigger concern than finding the right one. That’s where Becca’s Closet, a non profit in two Cobb High Schools, comes in.

Elissa Eubanks / eeubanks@ajc.com

(From left) Tori Jackson, 17, Kimberly Schwartz, 16, Layla Ghadamyari, 16, and Natalie Weinberg, 16, volunteer at Becca’s Closet, a charity that gives free prom dresses to girls who need them.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donations are needed to make Becca's Closet a success. Items needed included:

• Formal dresses. Plus sizes are in demand
• Accessories, including shoes and jewelry
• Sturdy dress racks
• Plastic dry-cleaning bags
• Professional cleaning services
• Sewing help for minor alterations
• Cash donations
• Store space: The Cobb chapters can use the store space in Kennesaw until May 1. The group would like to find a permanent space since they furnish dresses for other dances, such as homecomings and military balls

NEED A DRESS?

• E-mail the Cobb chapter at beccasclosetwhs@yahoo.com or at mhsbeccascloset@yahoo.com to schedule an appointment for a fitting or go to Beccascloset.org.

Related links:

• Complete prom coverage
• Send us your prom photos

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Rebecca Kirtman died in a car accident before she was able to go to prom. But a charity she started continues to help thousands of girls dazzle on their special night.

As a high school freshman in south Florida, “Becca” felt no girl should be left out of the formal event because she couldn’t afford a dress. She organized a dress drive, collecting dresses and passing them on to girls in need.

After her death in 2003, her family and friends decided to continue Becca’s good works. Today, there are “Becca’s Closet” chapters in 32 states, including Georgia.

“It gives us a purpose,” says Pam Kirtman, Becca’s mom. “It means so much when anyone undertakes the commitment.”

McEachern High School in Powder Springs started its chapter five years ago. This year, Walton High in east Cobb started a chapter. There’s also a chapter in LaGrange.

Pam Kirtman’s childhood friend, Leslie Schwartz, has a daughter at Walton, giving the new chapter a personal connection to Becca.

The two chapters have combined forces, and run a store in donated space near Town Center Mall. Hundreds of dresses in all sizes, along with glitzy accessories, make the store like many others — except you can shop for free.

Some of the dresses are new, still with price tags.

When a group of girls from Atlanta’s Grady High School comes to try on dresses this weekend, the Cobb students will serve as personal shopping assistants.

“It’s not like ‘poor thing,’” Kirtman said. “It’s like ‘Wow, I know what will look great on you.’ “