Offering elegance in the aftermath

Teenager launches donation drive to collect prom dresses for high school-age victims of Hurricane Katrina

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Photo courtesy of Leathia West Standing inside the art store Alchemy in Silver Spring, 17-year-old Beltsville resident Marisa West (left) accepts a dress from Virginia Wheaton for her drive to collect prom dresses for girls in New Orleans who suffered through Hurricane Katrina and might not have the money to spend for a formal gown.

And when the Beltsville resident recently went shopping for her own prom dress, she thought about high school girls in New Orleans who might not have dresses to wear to their own proms.

So she decided to hold a prom dress drive to collect dresses for New Orleans high school girls who might not have the opportunity to splurge on a formal gown in light of the recent tragedy. She’s set up drop-off points at Alchemy in south Silver Spring, where she sells some of her art, and at the American Social Health Association in Washington, D.C., as well as at the Miss Annapolis Pageant on March 25, where she’s a participant. After March 25, she’ll ship the dresses to New Orleans.

‘‘I’m hoping the girls’ faces light up the way mine does when I see a dress I like,” said West, a senior at Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C.

Many people have volunteered to help her, West said, and several of her friends have donated old dresses of their own. Additionally, one Alchemy artist has volunteered to make and donate handbags, she said.

‘‘It’s really exciting,” West said.

Two other artists have offered to make and donate earrings, said Alchemy owner Brenda Smoak.

‘‘I think it’s a great idea,” Smoak said of the drive. ‘‘I’m just hoping we get lots of donations.”

The store has already received several donations, Smoak said, and continues to get more.

Her mother, Leathia West, has been in charge of finding schools and they’ve designated Cabrini High School as a recipient, Leathia West said. They are now looking for one more school because of the volume of dresses they’re collecting. It’s been difficult, she said, because a number of schools aren’t even open. Many of them, West said, aren’t having events since they’re just starting to get running.

West and her mother will also be visiting New Orleans to see its current state, as well as help out where they can.

Leathia West said she’s proud of her daughter, who took on the initiative herself.

‘‘It’s just the best feeling ever,” she said. ‘‘I’m so proud that my daughter is so empathic.”

Her daughter, who also is founder and president of Students United Against Smoking, is going to attach a message about the benefits of not smoking and not giving in to peer pressure with each dress, Leathia West said. ‘‘She’s just a good kid.”

Got a dressto donate?

Drop off prom, bridesmaid and party dresses of any length and size noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at Alchemy, 8025 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring; or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the American Social Health Association, 1275 K St., Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. Dresses are needed by March 25.

Keep in mind you don’t need to donate a dress to volunteer your time. Marisa West is still looking for a way to take the dresses she’s collected to New Orleans. E-mail promdressneworleans@yahoo.com.