“Belle of the Ball” donates 500+ prom dresses to young women in Massachusetts

BOSTON — More than 500 local high school students went prom “shopping” on Saturday at the Belle of the Ball.

The experience was established in 2005 by Anton’s Cleaners as an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a dress to attend their high school proms.

The program reaches out to companies, schools, community groups, and individuals to donate their dresses for young women.

Anton’s Cleaners cleans all of them before the Belle of the Ball event, where participants can find a dress, receive beauty tips, and win other prizes.

Boston 25 News meteorologist Vicki Graf, reporter Crystal Haynes, and Anchor Kerry Kavanaugh all volunteered at Saturday’s event.

Anton’s Cleaners says previous participants of the event have called it a wonderful experience not because of how they look in their dresses, but because of the positive way they felt about themselves after the opportunity.

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