For many going to the prom is a watershed event … a magical life milestone that brings lasting memories.

It’s also can be a time of great stress. Do I have the right dress? The right accessories?

For young women in need the stress is complicated by the cost of that dress and those accessories. The pricetag is simply out of reach.

Comerica and Hope Closet to the rescue.

For the second consecutive year, the bank is partnering with the local non-profit, which provides more than 500 dresses, along with accessories, each year to young women in need.

Ten Comerica Bank locations across metro Detroit will collect new or gently used formal dresses March 19 through April 6.

“For 15 years, we’ve helped provide thousands of girls the opportunity to attend special school events like

prom,” says Whitney Drake, founder and president of Hope Closet. “The generosity of the community and partners like Comerica help us build self-confidence through a special experience they may never have otherwise.”

Accessories such as jewelry, shoes, purses and wraps will also be accepted. The community donated more than 1,600 dresses and 100 pairs of shoes last year during the first Comerica Prom Dress Drive.

“Missing out on high school memories because of financial status is something no teenage girl should face,” said Monica L. Martinez, senior vice president of external affairs for Comerica Bank. “So, as you’re cleaning out your closets for spring, consider donating your new or gently used formal dresses to help local young women make these precious memories.”

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:

• Michigan-American Road ­– 16150 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
• Comerica Bank Auburn Hills Operations Center – 3501 Hamlin Rd., Auburn Hills
• Comerica Bank Center – 411 W. Lafayette, Detroit
• Fisher-St. Paul Banking Center – 415 Fisher Rd., Grosse Pointe
• Harper-Grossedale – 30200 Harper Rd., St. Clair Shores
• Livonia Operations Center – 39200 W. 6 Mile, Livonia
• Northville Banking Center – 129 E. Main St., Northville
• Oaktec – 3551 Hamlin Rd. Auburn Hills
• Telegraph-Long Lake – 3910 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills
• Woodward-14 Mile – 33101 Woodward Ave., Birmingham

Hope Closet is staffed and funded entirely by volunteers and is only open once a year.

“In one week we have over 700 appointments available with an additional 100-300 dresses delivered to local alternative schools, shelters and youth services,” Hope Closet says on its website.

Students needing a dress must have an appointment and will have help from a personal shopper. Click here for more information.Donating a dress or accessories will certainly put a smile on the face of a teenage girl and get her on the way to the prom.

Click here to download a flyer to post on school bulletin boards alerting students to the boutique. You can also follow Hope Closet on Facebook.

— Photos courtesy of Hope Closet

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