What started as a closet clean out two years ago has now transformed into something that’s helping thousands of students across the Piedmont Triad attend prom for free.There is now a permanent prom closet location for all students across Forsyth County.It’s located at 2700 S. Main St. in Winston-Salem. “We’ve been working on this for two years,” said organizer Christine Bland. “It’s just such a dream come true to have a permanent space.”Bland’s vision has come a long way in the last two years.”It’s just great to help these students attend prom,” she said.The story starts in 2023, when Bland was cleaning out her closet. She decided to donate her dresses to students at Reynolds High School who couldn’t attend prom due to the hefty price tag.”It’s super expensive,” Bland said. “By the time you get the dress, the shoes, the accessories and the tux.”Lydia’s Prom Closet in Huntersville ended up partnering with Bland in 2023 to help put on a pop-up prom boutique in the Reynolds High School gym. Twenty-five students who would not have been able to attend prom could now go.”What started off helping 25 kids at Reynolds High School is now helping thousands have this experience,” Bland said.The vision has certainly grown over the last two years to now provide a permanent space for the prom closet, which will help thousands of students in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, schools.”It’s a milestone for students to attend prom,” Bland said. “And every student should have the opportunity to be with friends and enjoy the evening and feel beautiful and handsome.”The permanent location is at 2700 S. Main St. in Winston-Salem. It’s completely free.”We want a complete boutique experience — where they step in and come out on a platform,” Bland said. “And we’ll have mirrors, and they can twirl around in dresses with friends and they can enjoy the moment.”The prom closet is stocked with more than 1,000 dresses, as well as accessories, shoes and menswear.”We had countless numbers of donations and people volunteering time to support this effort,” Bland said. “To see these kids have this experience and life event — and it’s just really been overwhelming how supportive the community has been.”So far, more than 300 students have been helped through the free pop-up prom closets — and now, organizers are hoping to help even more at the new, permanent location.”It warms my heart,” Bland said. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity for students and the community. And, hopefully, these kids that benefit from this will turn around and do something kind for someone else and spread the joy.”Businesses like Nitsa’s Apparel, The Gazebo, Rebecca & Co., Cahill & Swaim, and Norman Stockton have all pitched in to help with the effort.The prom closet opens to students on Saturday, March 22.It will also be open on March 29, April 5 and April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon.As far as donations, menswear, accessories and shoes are encouraged; however, donations won’t be accepted during actual shopping hours. Dress donations are, of course, always desired as well.
What started as a closet clean out two years ago has now transformed into something that’s helping thousands of students across the Piedmont Triad attend prom for free.
There is now a permanent prom closet location for all students across Forsyth County.
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It’s located at 2700 S. Main St. in Winston-Salem.
“We’ve been working on this for two years,” said organizer Christine Bland. “It’s just such a dream come true to have a permanent space.”
Bland’s vision has come a long way in the last two years.
“It’s just great to help these students attend prom,” she said.
The story starts in 2023, when Bland was cleaning out her closet. She decided to donate her dresses to students at Reynolds High School who couldn’t attend prom due to the hefty price tag.
“It’s super expensive,” Bland said. “By the time you get the dress, the shoes, the accessories and the tux.”
Lydia’s Prom Closet in Huntersville ended up partnering with Bland in 2023 to help put on a pop-up prom boutique in the Reynolds High School gym. Twenty-five students who would not have been able to attend prom could now go.
“What started off helping 25 kids at Reynolds High School is now helping thousands have this experience,” Bland said.
The vision has certainly grown over the last two years to now provide a permanent space for the prom closet, which will help thousands of students in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, schools.
“It’s a milestone for students to attend prom,” Bland said. “And every student should have the opportunity to be with friends and enjoy the evening and feel beautiful and handsome.”
The permanent location is at 2700 S. Main St. in Winston-Salem. It’s completely free.
“We want a complete boutique experience — where they step in and come out on a platform,” Bland said. “And we’ll have mirrors, and they can twirl around in dresses with friends and they can enjoy the moment.”
The prom closet is stocked with more than 1,000 dresses, as well as accessories, shoes and menswear.
“We had countless numbers of donations and people volunteering time to support this effort,” Bland said. “To see these kids have this experience and life event — and it’s just really been overwhelming how supportive the community has been.”
So far, more than 300 students have been helped through the free pop-up prom closets — and now, organizers are hoping to help even more at the new, permanent location.
“It warms my heart,” Bland said. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity for students and the community. And, hopefully, these kids that benefit from this will turn around and do something kind for someone else and spread the joy.”
Businesses like Nitsa’s Apparel, The Gazebo, Rebecca & Co., Cahill & Swaim, and Norman Stockton have all pitched in to help with the effort.
The prom closet opens to students on Saturday, March 22.
It will also be open on March 29, April 5 and April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon.
As far as donations, menswear, accessories and shoes are encouraged; however, donations won’t be accepted during actual shopping hours.
Dress donations are, of course, always desired as well.
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