Grand Opening

      Free tux & gowns
Prom Kings and Queens

March 17, 2012

Grand Opening

of

The Prom Shoppe

26 Junction Road, Flemington, NJ 08822

Hours:  Mon.:  2 – 6        
              Sat. & Sun.:  1 – 5               

 or Call for an appointment

(908) 284-0100

We provide new/used tuxedos and gowns for free

Consider the clothes

Each day we perform a morning ritual.  It usually begins with a shower, shave and the decision on what to wear.  The shower and shave parts of the concept are simple; what to wear portion requires a little thought.  I evaluate my clothes.  I try them on, match the accessories, look at the color scheme, wash, dry, fold, hang, iron, steam, dry clean, dye, alter and donate them to my daughter with and without my knowledge or to charities. 

Clothes are a part of our lives.  They say a great deal about who we are.  Our clothes know who we are, how we feel and how they make us feel, how we smell, where we go, what we eat, what we did and what we say because they are with us throughout the day.

We work with prom gowns, cocktail dresses, tuxedos and suits for our charity.  I began to think about what it must feel like to be an article of clothing.  This CLOPERA (clothes opera) is dedicated to closets, racks, drawers, storage bins and all of the places where our clothes are kept and the DNA we leave behind.

FASHION HAS A VOICE, WE SHOULD LISTEN!

Rene DeWitt was old Hollywood glamour at its finest.  She was a floor length purple V neck satin gown with a crystal broach adorning her bodice and a sexy front slit.  She waited patiently to see the others as they arrived.  As she waited, she could not forget her evening with Scott.  They seemed to be made for each other, but so many things had happened since that night.

 Rene had big dreams.  Since the time she was spun and wrapped around her bolt, she knew what she wanted.  She wanted to be loved and adored.  During her formative weeks, she had endured several major surgeries and a cosmetic repair to correct her seams.  No one could imagine the agony.  Now, she was simply stunning with her purple satin blowing in the breeze.

Soon the guest would be arriving and she did not want to miss a second of the entertainment.  This was a special day for Rene.  She was excited and wondered if this would be her night.  She had waited so long to find someone special.  After one more trip to the mirror, Rene was ready for the world.

The night air felt cool with a soft breeze gently blowing.  She could see the white lights from a distance.  As she peered out her window, she could see the small crowd of people waiting by the door.  She hoped this would not be another evening filled rescue dresses, wedding rejects and those vampy trampy designs.

As she walked through the door, the room was tastefully decorated with white lights hanging from the ceiling, a full mirrored wall and racks placed around the room.  This was a big improvement from the last outing.  She would never forget how the bodies had acted out at the sight of her and the other ladies at the last outing.  She hoped the new guest bodies maintained some form of decorum.  Across the room, she recognized some familiar designs and she proceeded to greet them.

                  

To be continued   

They were wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prom Kings and Queens recently completed the 2011 donations of tuxedos and prom gowns.  At the beginning of the season, a few of our Board members felt our giveaway days would not be utilized by the wealthy residents of Hunterdon County.   They were wrong.

Our committment to the community was we would not deny assistance based on income.  We stand firmly by that decision.

At the close of the 2010 season, we decided to make a bigger investment of purchasing more tuxedos and accessories.  It was foreseeable that we could help more young men if we increased our stock.  That decision turned out to be priceless.  In fact, we donated more tuxedos than prom gowns this year.

We began the season in April with approximately 50 tuxedos.  By May, we had to purchase another 50 to complete the remainder of the season.  In June, we purchased the remaining stock from a retired business owner. 

My husband agreed that our most rewarding experience was in Phillipsburg working the the students from the P.A.S.S. program.  Many of the students did not have the resources to purchase their prom tickets and purchase or rent promwear.  One of the students had to sell his cell phone in order to purchase tickets for the prom.  I was so thankful that we were able to help that young man fulfill his dream. We were happy to help all the students.

When we arrived at the school, the students assisted us in setting up.  It was fun and games when the setup was finished.  The students picked out their tuxedos, shirts, vests, ties and shoes.  They modeled for each other and their dates, shades on, shades off, jackets open, jackets closed, vest on, vest off.  They were GQ sharp!

The community response was tremendous.  Everyone likes to get something for free, regardless of income.  This past season, we served the wealthy and the poor and we treated them with respect.  They were wrong and I'm so glad they were wrong.




  

The Big Party

The Prom Season is an exciting time for a graduating student.  Prom is the “big” party, the reward for doing all the homework.  There is no “second chance” with attending the prom, it is one and done.  Imagine wanting to attend the prom, knowing that you did not own anything suitable to wear. 

We believe that no student should have to worry about what to wear to attend the prom.  Save those worries for some other occasion.   

Prom Kings and Queens will be holding a Prom wear giveaway on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Plainfield YMCA.  The YMCA is located at 518 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, NJ.

 Our staff will be available between the hours of 10am and 3pm.  We provide tuxedos and prom gowns free of charge to high school students.  Stop by and see what we have to offer or call us at (908) 284-0100, (908) 310-2328 or (908) 265-3579.

Prom wear donations are always welcome

Donations are needed for Prom Kings and Queens.  We are looking for:

Tuxedos or business suits

Dress shirts

Ties

Evening gowns or cocktail dresses

Dressy shoes

Evening bags

Gently used and cleaned items can be dropped off at the Flemington Department Store, 151 Route 31, Flemington, NJ during normal business hours. 

Say yes to the dress!

I am always excited this time of year.  There is something about those dresses.  By the time we begin to donate our prom wear, I have been acquainted with the dresses and have developed a fondness, a friendship for each.  I envision how the new owner will look in the new dress.  How will she accessorize, how would I accessorize?

Truthfully speaking, this is playing dress up at its finest.  Each season, I select my favorite dress and imagine myself attending some swanky affair in “my” fabulous outfit.  Each season I wait to see who will select “my” dress.  Yes, I do stress over the dresses!!!!!!!

I have met some very nice people in my travels with these dresses.  At a recent dress giveaway in Plainfield, I met Mom who was looking for a dress for her daughter.  Her daughter had gained a little weight and the dress they purchased did not fit.  We found a beautiful gown, shoes and purse for the young lady.  Approximately 30 minutes later, the Mom returned to donate the dress she had purchased.  That’s called paying it forward.

We are at the height of the prom season.  We are seeking donations of new and gently used tuxedos and prom gowns.  We also take evening bags and dressy shoes.  There’s still time for me to get acquainted with some new friends, develop a fondness and yes, stress over the dress.

Donations can be dropped off at Raritan Valley Community College’s Student Activities Center,or at 26 Junction Road in Flemington. Call us for pick-up (908) 284-0100.

Hello from Prom Kings and Queens

Dear Friends,

We are Prom Kings and Queens, a non-profit organization in the Hunterdon County.  We are dedicated to providing new and genty used promwear to area high school students, free of charge.  Our services can be used for proms, homecoming, special events or special circumstances.

We are currently seeking donations for the upcoming prom season.  We are looking for prom dresses, evening bags and tuxedos.  If you would like to donate, please contact us to arrange pick-up.  Call us at (908) 310-2328.