Throughout the school year, the Assisteens of the Assistance League of Downey will be holding events where they will give every girl, who can’t purchase a new dress, a chance to make their Winter Formal or prom night a special one. With an appointment made through the school’s ASB adviser, each girl will receive one donated dress, a jewelry set, purse, and shoe gift card. Every appointment will remain confidential and completely free of charge. The Assistance League of Downey is one of more than 120 chapters of Assistance League, a national nonprofit organization. Last year, 200 members volunteered more than 17,000 hours and helped more than 10,000 people in the Downey area through its philanthropic programs. ALD has done it all from giving out wrapped Christmas gifts at nursing homes to volunteering with Operation School Bell, a service that provides new clothing, shoes and personal grooming products to children in need. Glamour Gowns is one of their many programs run by the Assisteens that has been beneficial to our community and sincerely appreciated by Downey’s residents.

Jaclyn Gasdia and Emery Brabant are sophomores at Warren High School and it is their second year volunteering. They were two of the twelve girls chosen last year for the Assisteens. Every girl works with the organization from their freshman to their senior year of high school.

“Glamour Gowns is a good way to help out,” Gasdia said. “Some girls feel embarrassed. They want to go to their prom but they can’t afford a dress. We make it so all they have to worry about is the ticket. We’ll handle the rest.”

“Most of our gowns are donated from older sisters or mothers of the Assisteens girls or just people in Downey who want to help out,” Brabant said.

“I’ve seen the posters all around school,” said sophomore Izamar Ramos. “I just think its so great Downey has something like this. Every girl deserves her dream prom. Money shouldn’t get in the way of that.”