'Operation Prom' Helps Students In Financial Need Go To Prom In Style

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It's just about prom season and the perfect dress, shoes and accessories can cost so much.

Many students just can't afford to go to their proms, but as CBS 2's Emily Smith found out Tuesday, there's a place Westchester County high schoolers are turning to for free designer gowns.

For a teenager, deciding which dress to wear to prom can be a lot of fun when it comes to selecting the color or the designer.

But for some students, going is a financial deal breaker.

However, thanks to one initiative in Westchester, racks filled with free dresses -- both new and used -- is allowing students like Tamara Parker to go to prom in style.

Parker narrowed it down to two and decided on a bright floor-length gown.

"I found my dress and I love it," Parker told Smith.

Noel D'Allaco started Operation Prom nine years ago from her own house.

"I kept meeting with brides and their bridesmaids who had these dresses that they were never going to wear a dress again. and they said 'What do I do with this, I spent $400 on this bridesmaid dress?'" D'Allaco said.

Over the past two years, Westchester County has even backed the initiative, resulting in thousands of students county-wide applying for the program. The criteria are passing grades in every class and financial need.

"Before I tried dresses on with a young lady, the mom crying said 'How much do I have to give you?' and I said 'nothing.' She goes 'no I have to pay.' I said 'no you don't.' I'm like 'your daughter is a great young lady,'" said Lauren Pistone of Operation Prom.

Operation Prom has enabled 4,000 students to afford Couture dresses.

Once you pick out your dress, you get two tickets, which can be used for any two items on accessories.

Adua Owusa, 17, found a perfect fitting dress on Tuesday, along with a pearl necklace. It's became a special day shared with her new foster mom.

"It was the nicest dress," Owusa said.

Whether shopping at a designer store or doing it through a non-profit organization, the end result remains the same -- the right dress and the right shoes can make most any girl smile.

And you can't forget about the young men. Men's Wearhouse has donated free tuxedo rentals for boys who fit the criteria for Operation Prom.

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