*UPDATE: The Belle of the Ball event has been canceled. Dartmouth Tailoring Studio is still collecting gowns for the 2021 event.

The Belle of the Ball program is on a mission to make prom dreams come true for young girls who otherwise may not be able to participate in the prom tradition.

The Belle of the Ball event includes thousands of gently used dresses, shoes, and accessories donated to local businesses in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Dartmouth Tailoring Studio is a collection site for the Belle of the Ball program, and the only one located on the SouthCoast.

WBSM reached out to Sue Chouinard of the Dartmouth Tailoring Studio for comment.

“This is the second year we’ve participated in the Belle of the Ball program. As a tailoring shop, people were always asking me what they should do with gowns that are just hanging in their closet. I started asking around and decided to collect dresses for this cause. Last year we collected over 100 dresses and I delivered them all to Jordan’s Furniture to save someone else the trip.”

Chouinard attended the grand finale last year and witnessed all of the efforts culminate into one spectacular event.

“All of the girls were prequalified and rows of school buses showed up at the Heinz convention center in Boston with guardians for the selection process. Over 1,000 girls benefited from this event.”

Chouinard would like to remind the community that local girls are eligible to receive a dress, shoes, and accessories at the invite-only “Boutique Day."

Dartmouth Tailoring Studio is located at 106 State Road in Dartmouth. You can make your donation on the lower level, first door on the left through March 29. Tell Sue we sent you.

Belle of the Ball started back in 2005 and has grown to be the spectacle it is today. If you or someone you know would like to receive a dress, please fill out the form HERE.

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