b"closets, and do something good for theThose clothes get a second chance atFun for Grads, planet, too. life and can give a student a chance Last year the Pop Up Prom Shopto participate in a fundamental high gave away over 130 dresses. Studentsschool experience. works,itsjustPeace of Mind for can find dresses sized 0-20 (they areWhenagown working to find larger sizes) in design- magical,saysPerryassheseesan-er names from J Crew to Tadashi toother student searching for a dress. Its Jones New York. Shophasreceivedclear how much Perry enjoys her roleParentsPopUpPromwith Pop Up Prom Shop. She hands donationsfrommanylocaldonors, including some small businesses suchMidnight Madness at CHSas Julie Esgun Designs, Perch Home, Retail Therapy, No. 165, and LesliesBY ADRIANNA DONATFinds. Although most of the kids are looking for gowns, the shop also hasColeman's Tuxedos in Short Hills donatedT he night of graduation is full of mystery and fun for the graduating many suits and a few tuxedos thanks to Colemans Tuxedo, which donated more than 100 suits to the cause.class at Columbia High School. Seniors board buses at CHS and There tends to be a rush on suitsare taken to a top secret location (seriouslynot even Home and closer to prom, explains Forman. Lastmore than 100 suits. School Association board members know where it is until gradua-year, Pop Up Prom Shop gave awaytion night). There, graduates get to enjoy a special night with their more than 30 tuxedos and suits. Thesethe student a dress, much like a fairyclassmates, music, food and fun. But no drugs or alcohol. The bus-suitsarealsoavailableforoccasionsgodmother, and tells her, You are go- es bring the celebrants back to CHS at 5 a.m. the next day, safe and like band concerts, job interviews, anding to look perfect at prom.ready for a long nap.other events that might require CHSAlthoughPopUpPromShopisEveryone I know is going to be there, students to dress more formally. nolongeracceptingdonationsforone CHS senior told us. Im excited to find So many people have dresses andthis year, monetary donations are stillout where it will be.suitssittingintheirclosetstheyareneeded. Please feel free to donate atIn the last two years Midnight Madness never going to wear again, says Perry.columbiahsa.com/cougar-cares/.Ifhas taken the new graduates to cruises around youd like to save your donations forNew York Harbor and to a private evening of next year, please know they must be infun and games at Funplex. good condition. That means no stainsIts a night of celebration for our seniors, but the idea behind Midnight Mad-and no damage. All sizes and accesso- ness is serious. ries are accepted.The town of Oxford Hills, Maine began hosting drug and alcohol free parties Adrianna Donat is a Maplewood-basedfor graduates after it lost nine students to drug and alcohol-related car accidents freelancewriterwhowasdelightedtoin the spring of 1979. The idea was so successful many communities started witness the magic of Pop Up Prom Shop. their own post graduation parties. The SOMA version of this idea is Midnight Madness, and it has safeguarded our kids since 1988. Midnight Madness is a community effort to keep our kids safe and make sure they have fun. Midnight Madness costs roughly $145 per person, but we sell tickets for $75 to ensure the event stays affordable, says Midnight Madness co-organizer Lori Thorn. Midnight Madness is an inclusive event. We try to make sure all the kids are there. Even if they didnt graduate, we want them to enjoy Midnight Madness, Thorn explains.Many local businesses support Midnight Madness to cover this price gap and help students struggling with the significant expenses of graduation. You can see the red and black Midnight Madness supporter signs in many storefront windows.But most of the donations to Midnight Madness come from the people of Maplewood and South Orange. If youd like to contribute, the easiest way is to give money at columbiahsa.org/donate-midnight-madness. You can also buy a Mapsopoly Board Game ($25), CHS swag ($1-30) or a personalized graduation yard sign for your grad ($25) by visiting columbia-high-school.myshopify.com.And if you really want to have fun while donating to a great cause, you can send a special delivery of pink birds to flock a neighbor, or yourself ($25), because who doesnt like a lawn full of flamingos? But just in case you dont, you can block the flock, too ($15).Whether you do it with flamingos, a yard sign, or a donation, wish the CHS grads good luck and help them have a safe night. L-R: Pop Up Prom shop volunteers Lisa Stamm, Kim Collins, Kat Lozynsky, Holland Adrianna Donat is a freelance copywriter who wishes the class of 2019 a lifetime of Grumieaux, Jane Perry and Amy Forman. Photo by Jamie Meier. fun and adventure.feature story /29"