LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Who says you need a date – or a big budget – to enjoy prom season? Thanks to the Ocean County Library, more than 225 students strutted into spring with style, scoring free fancy dresses for prom and other special events.
The library’s annual Prom Dress Giveaway returned in full sparkle, transforming library spaces into makeshift boutiques complete with mirrors, changing rooms, and racks of elegant gowns. Students were welcome to try on as many dresses as they liked and even do a “dance test” to make sure their picks moved with them.
“You’ve got to make sure you can dance in the dress before you take it home,” joked Kristen Crepezzi, the Teen Services Librarian at the Little Egg Harbor Branch, watching students twirl and laugh in front of the mirrors.
And students could take home two dresses each.
This year, the giveaways were held at the Toms River, Little Egg Harbor, and Jackson branches, with 84 dresses given out in Toms River, 101 in Little Egg Harbor, and 43 in Jackson.
But the event is about more than just proms. Eighth-grade dances, sweet 16s, family parties – any occasion can call for a little glam. And as dress codes have become more casual in everyday life, many girls weren’t even sure of their dress sizes.
A lot of the students who came into the Little Egg Harbor Branch came in wearing sweats or jeans. Their first challenge was determining their size and then finding a formal dress that made them smile with confidence.
Twelve-year-old Riley Raulerson, a student at Pinelands Regional Middle School, tried on several gowns but decided to wait for next year. “I’m going to wear dresses like that in the future,” she said thoughtfully. “But right now, other people have prom. They need the dress more than me.”
For Pinelands Regional High School senior Skyler Korecky, prom will be a sister act. Her younger sister Gabriella, a freshman, is her date. “I don’t need a man,” Skyler grinned.
That’s just one example of how prom culture is changing. Getting a date no longer feels like the make-or-break part of the event. Teens often go with friends or family – and the focus is more on fun than formality.
Pinelands Regional High School Senior Amaya Deas, who dreams of becoming a flight attendant, was beaming as she clutched two gowns she loved. “I’m going with friends,” she said, glowing with excitement.
The Prom Dress Giveaway started 17 years ago at the Lakewood branch after a librarian saw a similar program in Monmouth County. Since then, Ocean County Library has collected over 1,000 dresses – many donated by local boutiques, Macy’s, and community members. This year alone, more than 500 gowns were available.
No registration is required, and students in grades 8 through 12 are eligible to participate – no matter where they live or go to school. They can bring friends, family, or come solo and make a day of it. They have up to four hours to search through the racks.
Crepezzi leads a thriving student volunteer group at the Little Egg Harbor Branch, where teens dive into diverse projects with enthusiasm. For the Prom Dress Giveaway, the volunteers went beyond organizing racks; they also got to enjoy the excitement of finding beautiful dresses.
And after the final gowns are claimed? The dresses go back into storage – ready to dazzle again next year. They get returned by students who wore them and want to pass the joy on.
“I won prom queen last year with my dress from this event,” one past student shared in a testimonial sent to the library. “I’m excited to donate it back!”
Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, who serves as the liaison to the library system, and Library Director Sue Quinn both attended the Little Egg Harbor giveaway and posed for photos with the teens.
“It’s just incredible watching these girls light up when they find a dress they love,” Bacchione said. “This program doesn’t just save families money – it creates magical memories.”
