Members of the Ladies Auxiliary Smoky Mountain Detachment #973 are collecting unwanted formal clothing to provide for those who cannot afford to purchase their own. The collection is specifically aimed at finding dresses and suits for the upcoming prom and wedding season.

Auxiliary member Teresa Balcom got the idea for the collection after a girl she knew wanted to compete in a local beauty pageant. The girl didn’t have a dress and couldn’t afford one, but Balcom had one left over from her own daughter’s pageant days. She loaned the dress and was amazed how something so simple provided so much happiness.

Balcom talked to local high school principals at Franklin and Smoky Mountain high schools and found that a similar situation existed at prom time — many girls could not afford the formalwear their peers were buying. As a result, they didn’t want to go to prom.

“The prom is a big part of a girl being in high school,” Balcom said.

Balcom began collecting unused formalwear starting with some of her own family’s used dresses, the bouquet she used to renew her vows with her husband, and a tuxedo from her son’s wedding.

“Anything that would help,” Balcom said.

A local tailor has signed on to alter dresses and suits for free and a local dry cleaner will make sure they’re pressed and ready to wear. Those in need of a dress or suit may make a donation if they can afford it. If not, Balcom asks only that the formalwear be returned in the condition it left.

The auxiliary plans to further develop the formalwear program to include a small, decorated room where couples may marry — something a little more formal than appearing before the justice of the peace, but not as expensive as a full-blown wedding, Balcom said.

Anyone with formalwear to donate or those in need may contact Balcom at 828.349.9329.