Find affordable prom dresses at special Folsom event

Choosing the right outfit is all part of a memorable prom experience, and now girls have different options that won't break the bank."A Prom to Remember" at Snowline Hospice Thrift Store in Folsom provides an opportunity to do just that. Donated prom dresses are sold to area high school students for only $20. Shoes and accessories are also on sale."A lot of times girls may be not inclined to go (to prom) because they can't afford a dress," said Lisa Culver, store manager. This is the seventh annual prom dress program for Snowline Hospice, which takes place only at the Folsom thrift store. Prom dress sales are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 10.This program can actually be more fun and rewarding to the girls than searching for a new dress at retail outlets, said Culver."There is quite a frenzy to find dresses and try them on," Culver said. "The staff gets caught up in the excitement and tries to bring some order to the chaos."The store sets up a whole section where the girls can inspect the gowns, and creates extra fitting rooms so that many girls can try on in privacy at the same time."They're really happy because there are dresses that you don't see in the stores a lot of times," said Laura Tornincasa, the store's assistant manager. "Some people like the real retro, vintage. You have a much better chance of it being a unique dress."Se said another option for girls is to buy more than one dress and use their creativity to cut off dresses, tear them apart and redo them the way they want them.Area high schools often help out in publicizing the event and collecting dresses. Last year, Culver said, some students used the program as their senior project."We usually sell between 100 and 150 gowns the first day," Tornincasa said. "Of course, the first weekend is the best selection, but we do add to the supply as dresses trickle in."The generally there are about 250 to 300 dresses sold total. There were about 70 dresses sold the first year.Although they collect dresses all year, this program encourages many donations — but they always need more."By the end, there are just a handful of dresses that don't get sold," Tornincasa said.Folsom High School's Senior Ball this year will be from 7 to midnight, Saturday, May 19, at the Sacramento Convention Center.Oak Ridge High School's prom is from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 5, in the Sac State Ballroom.Vista del Lago's junior prom will be from 7:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday, March 24, in the small gym at the school. The Senior Ball will be from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at Morgan Creek Golf Club, Roseville."We are pleased to know that this event is so well received by the community and that the proceeds provide hospice care services to patients and families that do not have the ability to pay," Culver said.* * *A Prom Dress to RememberWho: Snowline Hospice Thrift StoreWhen: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 10 Where: 616 E. Bidwell St., FolsomPhone: 916-984-5853