03/23/2015

Epiphany Lutheran Church, Centerville hosts 5th annual Operation Prom Dress for community

CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) — A Centerville church treated some young girls like princesses giving them free makeovers.

The Epiphany Lutheran Church held its 5th annual Operation Prom Dress Saturday, bringing out more than outer beauty.

The church gave girls — who might not be able to go to prom because of financial difficulties — the chance to be pampered like a princess. At no charge, girls could pick out gowns and get their make-up and hair done by professionals.

The dresses and services were all donated by the community.

“When they come in in their t-shirts and sweats and are just transformed, you can just see their face and their disposition completely change,” said Tonya Johns, one of the volunteers behind Operation Prom Dress.

The idea sparked five years ago when one girl in the church’s youth group couldn’t afford a prom dress.

“We decided if there was one girl who couldn’t afford a prom dress that there was probably many,” said Johns.

Thanks to the program, girls like Chloe Sumner were able to get dolled up.

“I think it’s really nice of people to do it. Just people can’t afford the dresses and stuff. It’s nice they can do it for free,” said Sumner.

But the event is more than a day of pampering; it’s also a self-esteem booster.

“Our mission is we hope that they understand that there is a community that cares about them, and that there’s a God who loves them,” said Johns.

Click HERE to see video news story.