Students to get prom dresses out of ‘Closet’

COLUMBUS -- A “Closet Extravaganza” will help ensure all girls will be able to attend prom looking their best.

The “Extravaganza” -- to be held at Columbus High School Feb. 7 -- will provide prom dresses and accessories for students of low-income families.

This is the second time such an event has been held at the school. The first was in 2007.

Jean Kamrath, the event’s organizer and a nurse at CHS, said the first extravaganza was such a success, with 65 girls participating, that they wanted to hold another.

Kamrath is asking people in the community to look in their closets for donations. Dresses, shoes, bags and other accessories will be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the high school, or people may call Kamrath at the school, 563-7050, for more details.

Organizers also will be taking monetary donations to purchase gift cards to florist shops or restaurants that the girls also may use.

The event is open to any student in the area who is in need, Kamrath said.

In 2007, they had students from CHS, Lakeview and schools in St. Edward, Rising City, David City, Shelby, Leigh and Humphrey.

Kamrath said an event like the “Closet Extravaganza” is a way to help those who might not otherwise be able to afford outfits for the big dance of the year.

“With the economy the way it is, I think there are going to be more (students coming to the event). If you have to choose between food or medicine, or buying your girl a prom dress, you have to take care of the basics,” Kamrath said.

Along with donations from the community, Kamrath said women involved with Mary Kay also are donating makeup.

The “Closet Extravaganza” got its start when Kamrath’s daughter, Molly, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a sorority member, donated her clothing to a CHS student. Other members of her sorority also wanted to help by giving their unused clothing.

Kamrath said there will be four sororities in Lincoln involved in giving donations this year. Aside from asking the community to give, volunteers also are needed to work the day of the event.

It will start at 9 a.m. and probably last a couple of hours.

Any girl who is going to prom is welcome to come to the event and can also bring their mother. Kamrath said there are no guidelines, but the extravaganza is targeted toward students who might not be able to afford a dress on their own.

Kamrath said seeing the girls who took home a dress from the first “Closet Extravaganza” encouraged her to continue the event again because she believes monetary issues shouldn’t keep someone from experiencing prom.

“Every girl deserves to be a princess at least one day in their life,” she said.