b'Recycling Your Clothes Can Make You a Fairy Godmother (or Father)Photos of prom shop sign and dresses courtesy of Jamie Meier.Welcome to the CHS Pop Up Prom ShopA ccordingtoa2015surveya chiffonBY ADRIANNA DONAT changing areaCHS lobby, and someone would always be excited A student with an eye for fashion looks through by Visa, the average amountthe racks of clothing. Choosing a long red dress withto take them.ofmoneyspentonpromisskirt, she takes it into theLast year they were able to bring the operation $919.Thatsahugechunkand it looks gorgeous on her. Her emotions well upupanotch.Wedividedintothreegroups.One ofchangeforahighschoolas she sees herself in the mirror.gathered donations [from the community], another student.EspeciallywhenI love this so much, Im going to cry, she says. became our fashionista arm. They looked for dona-you add in the other miscel- Arethereshoeshereyoulike?asksPopUptions from manufacturers. The third group worked laneous costs associated with graduation, includingProm shop volunteer and co-creator Jane Perry. Sheon creating this beautiful boutique. a yearbook, the cap and gown, and maybe a seniorpoints the student to a rack of shoesthere are 20Prom is so expensive, says Perry, clearly charmed portrait.or more pairs to choose fromand asks for her size.by a student as she twirls in front of the mirror. We To help defray the costs as students get to theWhat do you like? Sparkly? Silver? Strappy? want every student at CHS to be able to go, have end of their senior year, SOMA Justice, SOMA Ac- In10minutes,thestudentisfullyoutfitted.a good time, and feel good about themselves. Pop tion, the Parenting Center, and the CHS Home andThere is only one problem. The dress is a little tightUp Prom Shop gives people a chance to clear their SchoolAssociationworkedtogethertocreatetheat the top of the bodice. Pop Up Prom Shop. It provides free clothes and ac- Perry springs into action. Ill call our seamstress, cessories to kids headed to prom or just a band con- she says as she picks up her cell phone. After sending cert, and both male and female students are flockinga photo Perry reports that the seamstress should be in to see what it offers. able to let it out. The student is delighted.You can hear squeals of joy before you walk intoThePopUpPromShophasbeenservingthe Pop Up Prom Shop. Its ninth period, and kids whoCHS community for three years now. Perry, Amy dont have class are gathering in a dedicated roomForman,HeidiDavis,JillAbramson,andSusan to look at the gorgeous clothes, shoes and jewelryBergin, along with an army of volunteers, were all community members have donated. Everything ininstrumental in making it happen. the Pop Up Prom Shop is free (many of the itemsIt started out very casual, says Forman. Ms. still have tags), giving these beautiful clothesandAaronbeganacceptinggentlyworndressesand accessories a second chance at life.suits. People would put clothing donations in the 28/ matters magazine / spring 2019'