Volle's Donates Prom Dresses to Chicago Students

Some Chicago Public School students will have the chance to look like princesses at prom, thanks to the dresses donated by Volle's Bridal & Boutique.

Volle's recently donated 51 dresses to the Enhance Educational Foundation, a nonprofit charity that assists in educational endeavors for the Chicago Public School system. The girls who will receive the dresses at a Prom Pledge Party on April 28 must have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average throughout high school.

"I thought it was really important to give the girls a chance to go to prom," said Volle's owner Deanna Dean, adding that she also wanted to congratulate the girls on maintaining their grades.

Dean said she was notified of the prom project by email. She and her staff handpicked the dresses, which represent various sizes, colors and styles — and lots of sparkle. The letter from Francesca Malin, meeting and events assistant for the Enhance Educational Foundation, simply asked for a "gently-used sample dress." Instead, Dean donated 51 new dresses.

"I'm shocked," Malin said when she visited Volle's to pick up the dresses. She said between 40 and 50 girls were invited to attend the Prom Pledge Event. They'll not only receive prom dresses, but also items like jewelry and shoes.

Malin added that the girls also will learn makeup techniques from companies like Clinique. A number of makeup companies, including Benefit and Aveda, donated gift baskets that the girls can win.