'Prom Dress Extravaganza' Provides Timely Dose of Community Spirit

“Prom Dress Extravaganza” provided prom dresses for Dallas teens to select from for upcoming the Prom Season.

Image: © 2023 Miss Ari Photography

For many teen girls around the country, prom serves as somewhat of a rite of passage. They have one night to let down their hair, get their makeup done and be as fanciful as the night allows. Over the years, however, the attached expense for prom has become more of a strain and nuisance for many families.

Insert Prom Dress Extravaganza – the creative genius of Comerica Bank and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.

“Prom Dress Extravaganza” is a unique event that affords prom-goers the opportunity to take their time searching for the perfect prom dress, with limitless guidance from dedicated volunteers.

Thursday evening, several Dallas teens converged on the West Dallas Boys & Girls Club. Many of the excited teenagers were accompanied by their parents and siblings - all excited to help their respective prom-goer navigate the room full of beautiful prom gowns.

For the past eight years Comerica has hosted the “Comerica Bank Prom Dress Drive” at six of their participating banking centers. The event is facilitated by Carmen Branch, Vice President of External Communications. Bank employees, bank customers and various members of the community participate by donating dresses. A host of Comerica employees then volunteer to help Dallas County teens find prom dresses.

Volunteers from Comerica Bank ensured the night was a success.

Image: © 2023 Miss Ari Photography

Melanie McFarland works in the Information Security Department for Comerica Bank. For her, volunteering for Prom Dress Extravaganza was a no brainer. “It was important for me to be here today, because I come from a lower income family – to get a prom dress was very challenging for my parents,” she shares. “Just to be able to give back to girls who may be in the same boat means so much to me.”

One noticeable pair of young ladies entered the room arm-in-arm, both smiling from ear-to-ear. A proud woman followed closely behind. For almost an hour, the two girls tried on dresses – complimenting one another and taking selfies. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that the two weren’t simply schoolmates, as many assumed. The two are in fact sisters and will soon attend prom together. Their mother brought them to the event and couldn’t hide her excitement about the generosity of both Comerica and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas.

“These beautiful gowns were donated by our colleagues and our customers,” explains Comerica’s National Community Affairs Manager LaToya Rowell. “One of our colleagues has a connection with Dillard’s, so the store provided dresses as well.”

Thursday’s event was complete with music and entertainment by radio personalities from Dallas’ 97.9 The Beat. On-Air Personality Kiki J made it a point to mix and mingle with many of the young ladies. Soon she found an eager teen who attends her former high school. The two spent a great deal of time discussing the excitement surrounding prom season.

“I’m beyond excited to see these young ladies have the opportunity to shop for prom dresses, shoes and accessories,” says Kiki J. “These young ladies get to leave here, completely ready for prom – what a unique opportunity.”   

Cherri Rowe is Chief Program Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas. The dedicated community advocate couldn’t be missed throughout the night, adorning her “Fairy Prom Mother” t-shirt, and frequently shouting for joy whenever a prom-goer said Yes to the Dress.

Prom Dress Extravaganza is a perfect example of acknowledging a community need and engaging in said community for the purpose of supporting youth.

Inside of the West Dallas Boys & Girls Club were individuals representing all walks of life. A spirit of gratitude encircled the room. A few young ladies fell in love with the first dressed they picked up. Mothers smiled, as they watched their daughters try on dress after dress. Some, overcome by the moment even shed a few tears. There were fathers in the room, holding dresses and admiring their prom-goers. Most importantly – the girls in the room felt beautiful, they felt important, they felt seen. The patient volunteers made sure to dote over the young ladies as if they were their own children.

Lindsey Yarbrough is a former Boys & Girls Club employee in Tarrant County. While her daughter is a year away from her prom, Yarbrough made it a point to be in attendance Thursday night.

“I completely support any and all opportunities to have teenagers exposed to positivity,” Yarbrough shares. “I’ve personally seen how teenagers benefit from events like these.”