For many high school girls, shopping for a prom dress is a rite of spring.

But what about those who can't afford one?

Keuka College students, who have conducted myriad drives to benefit the community, have initiated a prom dress drive.

_{Amanda Guzick shows off two of the nearly 40 dresses collected for the prom dress drive.}

The Community Resource Center at the College is collecting new and gently worn formal attire, including prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses, through March 31. All of the dresses collected will go to Steps to Hope in Dundee.

Housed in the Dundee Youth Center, Steps to Hope provides free professional attire for job interviews, formal wear, and other clothing and jewelry for women in need.

Shelby Harvey, community service coordinator, says there is no restriction on who can "shop" for a prom dress at Steps to Hope.

“They can either return the dress when they are finished with it, or they can keep it,” aid Harvey.

Amanda Guzick, a junior unified childhood/special education major, is assisting in the collection of the dresses.

“The prom dress drive comes at a good time for Keuka seniors, as they probably won’t have a need for their dress anymore, and this gives them an opportunity to donate it,” said Guzick, who reported that some 40 dresses have been collected.

Dresses can be dropped off in the Community Resource Center in the Center for Experiential Learning in Hegeman Hall, or contact Harvey at (315) 279-5661 or via e-mail at sharvey@mail.keuka.edu.

-- Gretchen Parsells