Creative Living Services to host prom for its clients in June
3/20/2013High school graduates considering keeping their prom outfits for sentimental reasons might want to consider another option.
Instead of keeping the clothes, consider donating them so somebody else can wear them and have great memories too. Creative Living Services, an agency that serves the developmentally disabled community, is planning a June 29 prom at 6 p.m. for its clients and others throughout Lucas County.
Melody Blattner, administrative assistant of consumer relations at the agency, said they are planning for 150 guests — which does not include personnel who must be on hand to assist the developmentally disabled — to attend the event. It will be at the Hotel at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio.
Ms. Blattner said the agency is asking the public to donate prom and nice dresses and accessories for women to wear to the prom. Men's clothes and accessories also are sought. She said the organization hopes that an individual or company donates silk flowers that can be used to make boutonnieres and corsages.
"Suits, ties, whatever people are willing to donate, we are more than grateful for," she said. The agency will give the clothes to clients, who can either keep them or later return them to the agency, which would store them for the next formal occasion.
This prom won't be short of frills. Ms. Blattner said there will be a disc jockey to provide music and a photographer to take pictures. Someone has volunteered to make boutonnieres for the men and corsages for the ladies.
To make donations, call Ms. Blattner at 419-724-4690. Garments and accessories can be taken to the agency, at 1801 Adams St., near downtown Toledo.
"We haven't thrown many interagency events because we are brand new and now we are able to do it," she said.
Melissa Harris, co-owner and co-director, came up with the prom idea during a brainstorming session about what to do for clients. "She said, ‘what about a prom?' and instantly we were taken with it," Ms. Blattner said. "A lot of people didn't get to [go to their prom], and we think everybody should."
Contact Rose Russell at rrussell@theblade.com or 419-724-6178.