Giveaway of gently used prom dresses is Saturday in Mayfield

“It was a tight black dress with rhinestones that crisscrossed across the neck. It was very simple. I loved it,” said Rulison-Fisch, a town native and graduate of Mayfield High School.

Her own prom was held at the former Sherman’s amusement park in Caroga Lake. It wasn’t open to the public at the time, but the owners allowed the formal event to be held there in a dance floor space and even fired up the carousel.

“It was awesome. We had beautiful pictures by the water,” Rulison-Fisch recalled. “I think every girl should go to one and experience it.”

She knows some kids sit out the quintessential high school experience due to the expense involved. New dresses can cost hundreds of dollars and the oft-sequined gowns might hit the dance floor for just one night.

Since 2015, Rulison-Fisch has collected donations of gently-used dresses to give away to area students.

Over the years, dozens of free gowns have gone to students from Fulton and Montgomery counties, with a few going to young women in Albany.

“Prom dresses are extremely expensive and we live in an area of need,” she said. “Now they’re able to go to their prom and not have that worry.”

Again this year, high schoolers planning to attend prom are invited to peruse the available dresses at her State Farm Insurance office at 3717 Route 30 on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

A rainbow of chiffon, sateen and tulle dresses in a variety of styles from the form fitting to poofy gowns hang on a rack at her office.

Promgoers are able to try frocks on at the office to ensure they’ve found the right gown before taking them home for free.

“It’s an important piece of the night,” Rulison-Fisch said. “Dancing, having fun with your friends, it sets the mood.”

Some may need alterations to get the perfect fit, but Rulison-Fisch said that’s still less costly than buying new.

Many donations over the years have come from locals who wanted to pass on once cherished dresses that hung unused in closets after their own proms.

“That’s the only way this survives,” she said. “It makes you feel good like you are doing something for somebody else that does appreciate it.”

Only donations of former bridesmaid dresses are strictly discouraged.

“Nobody takes those,” Rulison-Fisch said.

The excitement when girls find the right dress to wear to prom among the donations is always a joy.

“It gives you confidence throughout the night,” Rulison-Fisch said.

Images: Prom dress giveaway in Mayfield (5 photos)