The line for the Learning Center snaked from the front doors, past the Performing Arts Center, and looped all the way to the trophy cases. What were they waiting for?

 Prom dresses.

 The fourth annual Prom Closet event was the place to be on January 27. It brought hundreds of teenage girls and moms all over New Jersey to purchase prom dresses and accessories. The event lasted from 10am to 2pm.

  The event sold dresses new, worn, or slightly used from several retailers, such as Vincent Camuto, Alfred Angelo, and Kleinfeld’s (yes, the Say Yes to the Dress Kleinfeld’s!). Sizes ranged from 0-24 and prices ranged from $10-50. They also had shoes, jewelry, and accessories from $2-20.  

  Dan, the ‘crowd control’ at the doors of the haven, said it was “much better than last year.” He  needed to bring people inside from the cold, so the lobby made loops of eager girls, freshly awoken on a Saturday morning. Girls from Williamstown had been waiting in line to get in for over an hour, so they decided to play heads up in line while they were waiting.

  Customers came from Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Seneca, West Berlin, Haddon Township, Sterling, Galloway and Franklinville. A girl from Cedar Creek High School said that her school had posters up for a month.

  A Mt. Laurel mom, Stephanie, and her sophomore daughter, Sydney, waited in line, curious of the event. “I heard it through a neighborhood email community. Sydney has a cotillion coming up.”

  After fifteen minutes, they left due to overwhelming lines. It was only 10:52 am. Not everyone got into the Learning Center’s event that day.

  There were also booths, such as Rodan, Fields Skincare, and accessories. Casey Reed from Q102 Philly led the music and door prizes in order to supply entertainment at Prom Closet. “Remember, ladies, only three dresses at a time in the dressing room” she periodically announced. “We bring the music.”

  Q102 gave out Jake Miller, Charlie Puth and Why Don’t We tickets as well.

  “I never went to any of my proms,” Casey Reed said. “This is a great event because proms can get expensive. Everyone can be a part of it, even on a budget. I wish I had something like this when I was growing up.”

  There were lines even into the dressing rooms.

  Another mom, Donna Reynolds, before heading to the dressing rooms, said that she heard about the event over her morning coffee and news. “I knew that my daughter and I needed to head down as soon as possible,” she said.

  Michelle McAndrew, head coordinator of Prom Closet who started this non profit, said she noticed through her daughter how expensive proms can be. “So when they graduated, I started this,” she said.

  They receive donations from retailers all year, such as Kleinfeld’s. “We have a 501C3 which allows us to ask companies for donations.” She looked around the venue. “Social media is a huge help too.”

  Melissa McQuillen, another volunteer, said the event is a year long process. “Donations happen all throughout the year,” she said.

  Several Interact members also donated their time to help regulate the dressing rooms and racks of dresses. Olivia Tinari, a senior, said it was a great experience. “I love seeing people in prom dresses, because it makes me happy!”

   Kyleigh Masterson, a junior, agreed. “It’s a little crazy, but it’s for a good cause,’ Kyleigh said. “And I bought a dress! I can save it for next year.”

  There is some speculation that a bigger venue with more dressing rooms will be needed for next year’s fifth annual Prom Closet. But from this season, 145 dresses found homes.

  Ms. Darlene Walker, a special education teacher at Eastern, also gets involved in the program.

  “We are merely hosts,” Mrs. Walker said. “Michelle started it. It’s gotten so big that it needs more coordination.”

   All this dedicated time and coordination all contribute to the beaming smiles as girls leave, clutching their new dresses, excited for the big day, Prom Day, to arrive.