Senator Parker’s Free Prom Dress Giveaway Helps Local Families

Brooklyn, NY- Over 300 eager high school seniors walked away from Brooklyn’s Samuel Tilden High School with their free ‘dream’ gown from Senator Kevin Parker’s 7^th Annual Free Prom Dress Giveaway event on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Young ladies and parents traveled from neighboring and outer-borough  schools to begin the selection process of their prom attire as the highly anticipated prom season for high school seniors quickly approaches. The annual event by the six-term state legislator, put on in partnership with Macy’s, Operation PROM and Lydia’s Closet this year, and the donations of new and gently-used dresses by numerous generous New York women helps alleviate some of the financial burden for parents looking to prepare their young ladies for this once-in-a-lifetime affair.

“Prom is a rite of passage that no young woman should miss because they can’t afford a prom dress. We all remember -- prom can be a magical evening and I’m thrilled my office, with the generous help of our sponsors, partners and donations, helps make it even more special for our teens,” said Senator Parker. “I would love to be able to continue growing this event to make sure even more young ladies from working families benefit from this event, so next year we will increase our sponsors and outreach, and bring joy to more of Brooklyn’s young ladies,” Parker continued.

Once the girls selected a dress, they moved onto several vendor stations: skin care and make-up application sessions led by Miss Nikki NY and Mary Kay independent beauty consultants. Raffles were drawn throughout the day, and several young ladies won high-end dresses from Madam Couture, a Brooklyn-based designer. Two lucky winners also walked away with discounted prom photography and limousine packages from Cali York Photography and Tristan’s Limousine Services, respectively. 

“I knew my daughter Lilia was beautiful; however she was extraordinarily beautiful when she stepped into her new prom dress today,” said Candace Keeby-Elliott, the proud parent of 16-year-old graduating senior who walked away with a practically new multi-color, strapless floor-length gown that could rival any Hollywood red carpet dress. “I am really proud and happy Senator Parker hosts this event; this just saved me and my family hundreds of dollars we could use elsewhere,” she continued.

Local community volunteers including Bel-Tifi, Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Explorers, Brooklyn-based sorority members from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., were also on hand to help each young lady find the perfect gown. WBLS 107.5 fm radio station continued their support as media partner by way of on-air promos, while DJ Randall provided on-site music to keep the atmosphere lively.

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About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope.  He is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committees on Energy and Telecommunications and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs, and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans.