Sept. 7—LIMA — It was a productive day Saturday at the Lima Masonic Center, where 108 dresses went to new owners at the Diva’s Den event, even with an hour to go.
The Lima Kiwanis Club holds a prom dress giveaway every spring, but this was the first time it was held right before homecoming.
“At 8:30am there were already people in line, so we started bringing people in [8:45]”, said Ann Meiring, organizer of Diva’s Den. “We had lines outside our fitting rooms.”
Sierra Guisinger took three of her four daughters, all Shawnee students, shopping for new dresses for this year’s homecoming and future events.
“We love it,” she said. “Everything costs so much now, so it’s a big help to come by and let them pick out a dress. It’s a fun experience for the kids, too.”
Volunteer Keerthi Merugu said she was proud to help out at an event where the dresses were carefully repaired before being given away.
“I think it’s really amazing how many people they help,” the Ohio State Lima student said. “Because you wouldn’t think it’s a lot of people, but I just think it’s really beautiful.”
Meiring, who has two daughters herself, knew exactly how useful these types of events, which have no income requirements to participate, could be.
“This is the first year I’ve taken over the event and I decided to do it because homecoming and prom are such rites of passage,” she said. “I know how expensive all those dresses can be, so it’s really cool to see people come in and shop and feel beautiful. They don’t have to pay any money for it, so it’s just a great service for the community.”
“I’m just really grateful for it and I think the kids are too,” Guisinger said. “It’s a fun experience and I’m glad they opened it up.”
Duffy’s Cleaners cleaned all the dresses with the help of a donation.
Contact Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
