Meriden nonprofit collecting gowns, dresses for prom season

Seana Kuhne, 17, of Meriden, is helped by Nikki Kelly, of Meriden, who assists with alterations during the first ever Prom Angels Boutique held at the City of Meriden Health Department on Miller St. in Meriden, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The boutique provides high school girls with free formal wear for their prom and other special formal events. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

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Platt seniors, Ashlei Batista and Siouxlynn Regio, both 17, look for matching jewelry while trying on prom gowns during the first ever Prom Angels Boutique held at the City of Meriden Health Department on Miller St. in Meriden, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The boutique provides high school girls with free formal wear for their prom and other special formal events. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

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Dozens of girls attend the first ever Prom Angels Boutique held at the City of Meriden Health Department on Miller St. in Meriden, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The boutique provides high school girls with free formal wear for their prom and other special formal events. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

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Melissa Kasperzyk, of Meriden, talks about the first ever Prom Angels Boutique held at the City of Meriden Health Department on Miller St. in Meriden, Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Kasperzyk and friend Nichole Rodriguez are the founders of Prom Angels. The boutique provides high school girls with free formal wear for their prom and other special formal events. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

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Sarah Fletcher, 18, of Cheshire, views a prom dress in the mirror during the 2nd annual Prom Angels Boutique at Valentin Karate in Meriden, Monday, March 21, 2016. Fletcher is a Wilcox Tech student. The program is open to all Meriden high school students. | Dave Zajac / Record-Journal

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Prom Angel Kimberly Martinez checks the fit of Amber Conte 16 of East Haven dress Sunday at the Prom Angels Boutique held in Blown Out Unisex Salon Meriden Apr. 17, 2016 | Justin Weekes / For the Record-Journal

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andreanna Rios 17 of Middletown finds a dress Sunday at the Prom Angels Boutique held in Blown Out Unisex Salon Meriden Apr. 17, 2016 | Justin Weekes / For the Record-Journal

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Samara Chapman of Manchester looks for the perfect dress for prom Sunday at the Prom Angels Boutique held in Blown Out Unisex Salon Meriden Apr. 17, 2016 | Justin Weekes / For the Record-Journal

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Shyann Diskin 16 and Dana Hills both of Meriden look through over two hundred dress Sunday at the Prom Angels Boutique held in Blown Out Unisex Salon Meriden Apr. 17, 2016 | Justin Weekes / For the Record-Journal

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Maria Simbajun 17 of Meriden left gets help picking a dress from Kimberly Martinez and her mom Rachel Simbajun Sunday at the Prom Angels Boutique held in Blown Out Unisex Salon Meriden Apr. 17, 2016 | Justin Weekes / For the Record-Journal

September 23, 2016

By Farrah Duffany
Record-Journal staff

MERIDEN — With such a large community response since its inception last year, organizers of the nonprofit group Prom Angels are starting to collect items early to prepare for prom season.

Prom Angels was started by city residents Melissa Kasperzyk and Nichole Rodriguez to offer free prom dresses and discounted services.

More than 250 dresses were collected in the first year and many girls received prom dresses from local events held by the nonprofit.

“Check your closet for unwanted gowns, bride’s maid dresses, shoes, jewelery, and accessories,” said a statement released Wednesday by Prom Angels.

The items will go back to local girls who cannot afford prom dresses this year.

The drop-off location for donations is Blown Out Salon, 690 E. Main St., Meriden.

To find out more information, visit Prom Angels Facebook page, Facebook.com/PromAngelsMeriden.

— Farrah Duffany