By Steffen Klenk
This Spring, hundreds of local high school students will be walking the red carpet at prom wearing the gown of their dreams, thanks to a loyal group of individuals and volunteers. Since 2015, Project Prom has been helping students choose the dress of their dreams and is an effort that has grown in leaps and bounds.
Last weekend, more than a dozen volunteers made their way to Kensington Furniture in Northfield to assist area students in selecting the perfect dress. One of those volunteers included Brooke Feldman of Margate. Feldman previously served as Miss Atlantic County for the Miss America Organization and attended the event in 2022 as part of her year of service. “It was truly extraordinary. To see girls come in, no questions asked, and leave with such a smile, it’s the most rewarding thing to be a part of.”
Rene Kane is the founder of the Project Prom initiative. She started the fundraiser eight years ago after one family turned to social media in search of a dress. From ensuring their attire to getting hair and nails done, the entire community pitched in. “The outpouring was amazing.”
In the years since, Kane’s initiatives have matched over a thousand girls with the gown of their dreams. Working in conjunction with the Boys and Girls club of Atlantic City, and with additional support from the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County (HAAC), this event continues to be a tremendous resource to our region.
Courtney Rice of Egg Harbor Township was one of many volunteers on-hand Sunday. She serves as Miss Egg Harbor Township for Miss New Jersey America Strong and says the experience of volunteering has been remarkable. “I like this organization because we focus a lot on service, and when I was in high school it was hard to find a dress so I couldn’t say no to this.”
Approximately 1,700 gowns were made available for students to choose from, but it didn’t end there. They also got to select from a variety of shoes, scarfs, and a table full of assorted glittering jewelry, earrings and necklaces to match their attire.
From its inception, this annual event has been held at Kensington Furniture in Northfield, which is also where the dresses are stored. In an interview with Shore Local in 2018, owner Michael Grossman expressed how important this initiative is for the community and its im- portance. “The smiles shared when they leave with a gown is thanks enough,” Grossman said.
For families who are going through the hardships of daily life, Project Prom has eased some of that stress and assures peace of mind. Feldman wants others to know that this resource exists. “You have nothing to lose to come by and be part of this.”
The goal for Project Prom is endure so that area students in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties have that special dress to wear. Kane summarized the experience in one simple sentence. “We’re just making dreams come true.”
While this year’s campaign might be over, work is already underway to plan for next year’s event. Project Prom is currently seeking leadership for 2024 and beyond. Anyone who is interested and has former retail experience may contact Rene Kane at 609-703-8592 or email rene@renekane.com.
For the latest information on Project Prom and how you can get involved, visit www.ProjectPromAC.com. You can also follow @ProjectPromAC on Facebook and Instagram.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
