Annual prom attire giveaway kicks off in April
Attending one’s high school prom is a special and memorable time in a teen’s life but sometimes the financial burden associated with the event can prove to be too big of an obstacle for some to attend.
This prom season Michael Pollack and his Valley-based Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments has teamed with a local Rotary Club to ensure as many teens make it to the prom as possible.
Mr. Pollack is donating the retail space and electricity to help My Girlfriend’s Closet, a group that helps outfit high school juniors and seniors with ball gowns and tuxedos for their proms.
My Girlfriend’s Closet was created by MaryAnne Baker six years ago to help outfit young boys and girls who need assistance in finding formal attire for their high school prom. The program, conducted every April by Ms. Baker and a cadre of volunteers, provides formal attire to any young boy or girl at no charge.
Previously Ms. Baker used space at a church or she stored the gowns, tuxedos and suits in a trailer parked on her property, an unsustainable situation.
As late as one month ago, the effort lacked a location to conduct this year’s giveaway and the future, at least for this year, appeared questionable.
In stepped Mr. Pollack and members of the Rotary Club of Peoria North.
Mr. Pollack is donating retail space at 6750 W. Olive Ave., Suites 119-121, in Peoria to the charity. The charity has use of the space throughout the month of April.
The space allows My Girlfriend’s Closet the chance to offer dressing rooms, rolling racks and proper shelving so the teens can access the evening wear and come to a store front to select their attire free of charge for the evening.
My Girlfriend’s Closet has grown from outfitting 100 teens in its first year to more than 600 every year. Now in its seventh year, the group receives more than 1,000 beautiful ball gowns, tuxedos and suits donated from the community and to help teens from all around Arizona.
“This means we will be able to continue,” said Ms. Baker of My Girlfriend’s Closet. “It means we can help hundreds of teens go to the prom who otherwise could not afford to go. We are so incredibly appreciative that Michael Pollack was able to provide free space in his center so we can help those in need.”
My Girlfriend’s Closet will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays - April 8, 15 and 22.
The event is open to all families and students, and there are no financial requirements to meet in order to obtain items. Volunteers will be on hand to assist those seeking prom attire.
Ms. Baker is a founding member and past president of the Rotary Club of Peoria North, and fellow club members have volunteered at past events. In addition to My Girlfriend’s Closet, the Northwest Valley service club also supports literacy projects, a wheelchair program in Mexico and a number of local youth projects and organizations.
The club is stepping up its role this year and overseeing the entire project -- from set-up, scheduling and overseeing all volunteer activity. At the end of the month, the club will take on the responsibility of storing the remaining items and planning for next year’s program
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“In the past, our club members have always enjoyed volunteering at MaryAnne’s event,” said Bret McKeand, president of The Rotary Club of Peoria North. “It’s a wonderful event that helps a lot of young boys and girls in the Northwest Valley.”
Mr. McKeand said Rotarians are known for putting “service above self,” and they were anxious to help.
“When we heard this year’s event was in jeopardy, our club felt obligated to step in and take the lead. Michael Pollack’s generosity along with all our volunteers will make sure this event continues to serve teens in the Northwest Valley,” added Mr. McKeand
“At Pollack Investments we don’t want any teen in Arizona to miss their prom due to financial burdens, so we are thrilled to be able to donate some retail space that will help My Girlfriend’s Closet and clothe hundreds of men and women so they can fulfill their dream of going to the junior and senior prom,” said CEO Michael Pollack of Pollack Investments.
Pollack Investments, which has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Arizona Companies” by BestCompaniesAZ, specializes in refurbishing commercial and industrial properties.
For additional information, visit www.mygirlfriendscloset.co. Volunteers are needed to assist. Email Donnis Deever at dadeever@yahoo.com.
Note: The above story appeared in the Peoria Independent.