Some teenagers dream about their prom like others imagine their wedding. But some also worry about whether they can meet the financial commitments that go along with prom.
That’s where Operation Prom National Network, Inc. comes in. A nonprofit organization that collects and distributes formal wear, Operation Prom aims to ensure every high school senior can attend their prom, regardless of their financial circumstances.
For more than 20 years, Operation Prom has partnered with Westchester County to host a free prom attire giveaway for high school seniors in the county. This weekend, the tradition continues with Operation Prom’s Formal Wear Giveaway at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
On Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, prom dresses, tuxedos, undergarments, shoes and accessories will be available to Westchester high school seniors who bring a school ID or report card with them to the event. Dresses (not tuxedos) will also be available in the morning on Sunday, May 4, with a prom dress sale that’s open to the public to follow.
Students with their high school IDs can also get free Bee-Line bus fare to attend the giveaway.
(Dresses and tuxedos are available while supplies last.)
How Operation Prom helps high school seniors in Westchester
The Operation Prom National Network was founded in 2005 by Noel D’Allacco, an entrepreneur, activist and professor who lives in Westchester County. The Yonkers native started the initiative when she realized there weren’t any organizations around to help students in her community attend prom.
The goal was to help students find the perfect prom outfit at no cost to them, so that they can feel confident and empowered.
“Seeing the joy on the faces of the young people, and witnessing the boost in self-confidence and self-esteem that comes with it is profoundly gratifying,” Leonard Townes, Westchester County department of social services commissioner, said in an April announcement of the 2025 event.
New Rochelle High School held their senior prom at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in New York, May 23, 2024.
Westchester County was an early partner to Operation Prom. Now, 21 years later, that partnership has grown into an event that helps thousands of students across the county.
“I’m so grateful for the decades of support,” D’Allacco said in the 2025 event announcement.
Operation Prom runs free prom dress and tuxedo giveaway in eight states in addition to New York, including California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and more. In 2024 alone, there were 19 Operation Prom events that distributed more than 6,000 formal wear items to students in need.
D’Allacco said she’s expecting about 1,000 students to attend the Westchester Formal Wear Giveaway this weekend.
If you go to Operation Prom’s Formal Wear Giveaway
When: 1 to 5 p.m., Friday, May 2; 10 to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 3; 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, May 4 (Sunday is dresses only.)
Where: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains.
To sign up: Reservations are recommended. Go here: https://promnationalnetwork.org/events/
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester NY HS seniors can get free prom outfits May 2-4, 2025
Read the full article here
