BRIAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. — It will be about five years before Chloe Birt can go to prom. But she's already doing what she can to make sure older girls don't miss out.
The 10-year-old Girl Scout, with the help of her mother, collects dozens of new and gently used prom dresses and accessories to give away for free to any high school girl who needs them.
The project is for its Bronze Award.
“I want them to have the best prom ever,” Chloe said last week. “Part of it is having the dress that they think is the best.”
Chloe doesn't wear dresses herself: hoodies and sweatpants are more comfortable.
But she said she was inspired after learning a former girlfriend of her brother couldn't afford a dress for the big day.
Her mother, Diane Birt, said short dresses usually cost at least $100; dresses cost $250 and up.
Chloe said that prom is important for a lot of girls.
“They may never have the chance to feel as pretty as they did back then,” she said.
Diane therefore launched a call for donations on Facebook. Together, she and Chloe created a list on Amazon of dresses and accessories that generous souls can purchase as gifts.
So far, she owns about 70 dresses and skirts, as well as earrings, heels, tiaras and headbands.
Dresses are available in sizes from extra small to 3X. They also have a few sets of pants.
Chloe will distribute the prom dresses at the Department of Intoxicology, 131 W. 2nd St., Berwick, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, April 21. The bar is donating the space, Diane said.
A family friend makes temporary changing rooms, Diane said.
Seamstress Rachel Fisher volunteered to make minor alterations for free and larger alterations at a reduced rate.
Elline Oldenbuttel leads a group she calls the Golden Girls to form
Free artificial flower corsages and buttonholes.
Nannycakes donates refreshments.
Any girl who goes to prom is welcome, no matter what school she attends, Chloe said.
Any dresses and accessories not taken will be returned to the prom closets, she said.
Girls who need a dress can just show up.
People who would like to donate can text 570-520-5840 to arrange for dresses to be dropped off or for someone to pick them up.