As she was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer, Tammy Dunn asked God to reveal his purpose for her life.
“Prom dresses kept coming to me, but I didn’t know what that meant,” Dunn said. “I had one daughter who was way too old for prom, and another who was way too young.”
As she continued to pray, the vision became clear. She would start an organization that blessed young people in need with formalwear for prom.
“God was revealing to me that there was a need to do this,” Dunn said.
She started in 2016 with 50 dresses available to give away. Now they have more than 500 to give away for the 2018 prom season, according to Operation Prom Nite board member Jeanita Williams.
“Tammy has overcome a lot of obstacles – especially with breast cancer – and she wanted to give back to the community,” Williams said. “I’m just so thrilled for her, and happy to help in any way I can.”
On Saturdays April 14 and on May 5, Operation Prom Nite will set up shop at the Ferguson Youth Initiative from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to give away dresses, accessories and gift certificates from Savvi Formalwear for young men to get tuxedos while supplies last. Guests can also enter to win a full glam makeover (hair and makeup) as well as a free photography package.
“You should see how happy they are to get their attire,” Dunn said. “It’s new prom attire – we have 80 percent donated from Macy’s, JC Penny and Dillard’s. Just to see them and their faces say ‘Hey, I can look as good as the next person when I go to the prom – I won’t look any different.’”
In the two short years that Operation Prom Nite has been in existence, Dunn already sees the impact.
“We’ve had a lot of young people pick out their gowns and cry,” Williams said. “You don’t realize that a lot of these young people are in dire need for various reasons.”
Dunn shared an Operation Prom Nite story about a student from Lift For Life Academy. The young woman’s mother had paid all her senior dues, but suffered a stroke in early spring. The mother was left unable to work, and the entire family was forced to uproot and relocate to East St. Louis. Prom didn’t seem to be an option.
Operation Prom Nite stepped in.
“She got the hair, the makeup, the gown – everything we had,” Dunn said.
Dunn and her daughter even provided transportation for the young lady, personally picking her up and dropping her off before and after her senior prom.
They had another parent who called Dunn and explained that she lost her job.
“Everybody thinks that we have money because we live over here in St. Charles, but I don’t have any money for my son’s prom,” the parent said, according to Dunn.
Dunn used her Savvi formalwear connection. They sized him up and gifted the young man a tuxedo for his big night.
“The stories are heartwarming and touching in that we get to make such an impact, and I really enjoy helping young people,” Dunn said. “I know it’s hard out there, and I don’t mind doing my part.
Dunn says that walking in her purpose has resulted in a tremendous change in her life.
“I really didn’t think that there were so many people who couldn’t afford prom attire,” Dunn said. “I can’t even begin to tell you what reaching and touching people in this way has meant for me. I hope it makes as much of a difference in their lives as it has made in mine.”
Operation Prom Nite will hold two dress and accessory giveaways at the Ferguson Youth Initiative (106 Church St, Ferguson, MO 63135) on Saturday, April 14 and Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Students are asked to bring a valid student I.D. Students under 18 are required to bring a parent or guardian. For more information, visit www.operationpromnite.org.
