Amie Parkhurst hopes to change prom, one dress at a time.
The 22-year-old college student is collecting prom dresses to give away during the inaugural Tucson Princess Day, supported by Parkhurst's brainchild, the Tucson Princess Project.
The whole thing began several months ago, when Parkhurst wanted to donate her own prom dress where it would help a high school girl in need of financial help for prom.
She did Internet searches, she said, but couldn't find such a place. After talking to her mom about it, she started a "Tucson Princess Project" page on Facebook.com and asked her Facebook friends to donate old dresses.
That was January. As of last week, she'd gathered 58 dresses, and she plans to pick up about 30 more in the next two weeks, she said.
On April 17, Parkhurst will host a giveaway party at the Gaslight Costume Shoppe, 7004 E. Broadway, at which high school girls in need can pick out a dress for free.
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They need only show a high school identification card, Parkhurst said. The dresses will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, and she's not verifying financial need.
"If they feel that they need the dress, they can get one," she said.
Gaslight seamstresses will be available to make alterations, also for free. And free shoes and accessories will be available.
Gaslight owner Tony Terry said he's glad to offer his facilities and staff to help.
He knows Parkhurst and her family through the Southern Arizona Junior Golf Association that Parkhurst's dad began and Terry's children play in.
"She had mentioned it (her idea) to me at one of the tournaments, and I said, 'Holy cow, what a great thing that is. I've got the costume shop. What can I do to help you?' "
His seamstresses are also excited, he said. They do all the work for the shows put on at the Gaslight Theatre, which Terry founded.
"They're used to quick alterations and changes. It's right up their alley," Terry said.
Since beginning the Tucson Princess program, Parkhurst has learned about an organization called Cinderella's Closet that has a similar aim, but the way the two organizations distribute dresses is different.
Cinderella's Closet requires people to submit an application and set up an appointment to get a dress.
For now, Parkhurst is much less formal about her formals. Her closet at home is stuffed full of them, and friend Jennifer Rex is holding onto several for her as well.
Rex will be on hand to help distribute the dresses on the big day.
"I just kind of jumped in," Rex said. "I remember how expensive prom dresses were. It always happens that the one you like is the most expensive one.
"I can't imagine not having any money to get a dress and not being able to go. I just think it's a great project that Amie's put together."
Parkhurst's little sister, Jordan Woodruff, 14, has gotten in on the action, too. The eighth-grader donated a dress of her own and plans to help at the party.
"She's a really good role model to have," Woodruff said.
Contact reporter Shelley Shelton at sshelton@azstarnet.com or 807-8464.
