Silvana Cavasos didn't need to worry about finding something to wear to prom when she was a student in high school.

“I was lucky to have four sisters to share clothes with because my family, like many, was struggling to make ends meet without the extras like prom,” said Cavazos.

Now, as a program coordinator for the Azusa Unified School District Family Resource Center, Cavazos has initiated an effort that will help young girls from financially disadvantaged families enjoy their proms with a donated dress.

The program, called My Sister’s Closet after the days Cavasos would rummage through her sister’s closet looking for something to wear, began four years ago when Cavasos noticed many young girls were forced to bypass prom because of the financial difficulties their families were going through. This year, the program will set up racks of donated dresses Saturday, March 5 on the Azusa Pacific University campus at the LAPC room.

Each girl is allowed one dress at no cost. All dresses are available at a first come, first serve basis.

Enlisting the help from the Azusa Unified School District, Azusa Pacific University, the Azusa-Glendora Soroptimist’s, Assistance League of Covina Valley and the Canyon City Foundation, Cavazos and local community volunteers are gathering gently used special occasion dresses, handbags, shoes and jewelry to give away to a lucky girl just in time for prom season.

 “What really began as quite a few racks has grown to hundreds of dresses of all sizes and styles,” said Azusa-Glendora Soroptimist member Nita Ulloa. The Soroptimists joined the effort three years ago and this year, they will provide on-the-spot alterations for the girls.

The first session, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., is open to girls who have made private appointments. The session from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. is open for walk-in appointments. To make a private appointment, contact Silvana Cavazos at 626-732-8032.

Last year, about 300 dresses were collected for the effort. With a few weeks until the actual event, Ulloa said the Soroptimists are still collecting dresses. Interested donors can drop of their gently used dresses, shoes, jewelry and handbags to the Glendora Police Department, 150 S. Glendora Ave., by Feb. 25.