HENRIETTA, N.Y. — If anyone carries a magic wand, it's the many volunteers at Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester. The nonprofit is preparing for the upcoming prom season with a dress donation drive to collect as many new and used prom gowns for any high school student who needs one.

Since 2004, the Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester have made thousands of prom dress dreams come true. Tea length, ballgown, hi-low hems, beaded, chiffon, and everything in between—it is a rainbow of prom, dress dreams at the Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester headquarters at Marketplace Mall.

What You Need To Know

  • Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester provides prom dresses for financially challenged high school students

  • The mission is to make sure that every young lady has the opportunity to experience their high school prom

  • Rene Spallina and Cynthia Jackson created The Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester in January 2004

“The wonderful thing about ‘Fairy’ is that we will dress a girl from size 00 to 30," said Ami Salzman, a volunteer at Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester. “We cater to girls who wouldn’t otherwise afford to go to the prom. These dresses range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. For a young girl to come in and get it down like that and the opportunity for us to dresser and make her feel special is a wonderful, wonderful day. It’s a wonderful experience for the girls.”

They’re collecting new and gently worn dresses now to get ready for what will be a month-long opportunity for students in need. Whelp from a personal shopper, they get select a gown and accessories for prom for a five dollar donation if they can.

“So oftentimes we shout, 'we've got the dress' and the girls stands up there and everyone just lights up,” Salzman said. “It is really a beautiful goosebumps moment for all of us to have her feel so beautiful and so loved.”

The dress donation drive is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fairy Godmothers is located inside the North entrance at Marketplace Mall that is located between the former Macy’s and JCPenney. The month-long prom fair is scheduled to begin in March.

Rene Spallina and Cynthia Jackson created The Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester in January 2004.