Formal and prom dress giveway returns to Reston this month

A giveaway for formal and prom dresses will return to Reston Community Center on March 16.

RCC is hosting the 22nd annual Diva Central Formal and Prom Dress Giveaway at its Lake Anne facility (1609-A Washington Plaza North). Middle and high school students can select an outfit from a collection of dresses, shoes and accessories.

The event is intended to make prom attendance more inclusive for students, particularly those under financial strain.

“When we started this program more than two decades ago, RCC was the only local organization offering such an event,” RCC Board Chair Beverly Cosham said. “Since then, we’ve been joined by several other similar offerings for young people. We are delighted it has proven to be such a success.”

The collection features items donated by community members throughout February. Mannequins styled in donated dresses and accessories were placed in area schools and RCC facilities to help market the event.

“Embracing sustainability, the Diva Central Dress Giveaway underscores our collective responsibility to promote the reuse and repurposing of clothing, fostering a more eco-conscious approach to fashion that resonates with our shared values and commitment to environmental stewardship,” the community center said in a press release.

All items are free, and shoppers can choose up to two outfits. Volunteers are on hand to help teens with their selections, share makeup tips, and offer door prizes and swag bags.

Registration is encouraged online prior to the event.