FAQ
What is Making Prom Happen?
Making Prom Happen is a donations based event in Peel Region. We collect formal wear for graduates (grades 8 and 12) including suits, dresses, shoes and accessories to ensure students look and feel their best on their special day at no cost.
How can I register?
Registration closed at 4pm on April 9. 2025.
Although walk-ins will be accepted, registered students will receive priority entry for their time slot and the number of students allowed at one time will be limited to optimize change rooms.
How does the event work?
The event is April 10, 2025 at Turner Fenton Secondary School in the North Hall Gymnasium from 3:30pm-7:30pm.
Once you arrive you will “sign in” and be able to shop our formal wear selection. Our volunteers will be there to assist and ensure everything is running smoothly. Once you find your outfit you will “sign out” and be able to take it home.
What will be available?
This event runs completely off of donations from the community. We will have and assortment of dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories available.
Unfortunately we are not able to guarantee sizes, styles, or colours, but we can tell you that we get some amazing donations each year.
How many items can I take home?
In the spirit of helping as many students as possible, we allow each student to choose one outfit (for example a dress or a suit) and accessories as appropriate.
We will have a selection of shoes, makeup, jewelry available with volunteers to assist.
Can we try on items?
Absolutely! We will have change areas on-site, including a universal change room.
Students are allowed to take a maximum of three items into the change room at once.
Who can I bring?
We want you to feel supported while looking for your formal wear, but also need to be mindful of our physical space limitations. We ask that you limit the amount of people you bring with you to two.
What should I bring?
We suggest you wear clothing that will make trying on formal wear easy for you.
You may also wish to bring a garment bag to take your new outfit home in.
What time should I arrive?
You should arrive about 15 minutes prior to your registered time – no earlier.
Although walk-ins will be accepted, registered students will receive priority entry for their time slot. Last year the line-up to enter was around the block, so registering your arrival time is definitely the best option.
Is this a LGBTQ+ safe space?
Most definitely! We ensure this will be a safe space for everyone, especially LGBTQ+ students. There is no tolerance for discrimination. Our formal wear selection has no gender attached – please feel free to “shop” our dresses, suits, vests, etc. for something that makes you feel your best.
Will other high school students be volunteering during the event?
No, not during the event. To keep this a comfortable space for students and their families, no students will be allowed to volunteer or assist during the Making Prom Happen event.
Do you need volunteers?
Yes! This is a volunteer run organization. We need you to help make sure the event runs smoothly. We need you to help make this an amazing day for students. We need you to help make prom happen.
Please visit the volunteer section of our website for more information.
What if I have a donation?
Wonderful! Please ensure your donation is in clean and ready to wear condition and from a smoke free home. Visit the donations section of our website for more information.
Donate with Dignity for us means that we are requesting all donations be stain free, clean and in good repair. We want the best experience for all our guests. Thank you in advance for your support and consideration.
When we speak with people who want to help by donating items for our students, people often ask us:
- Isn’t something better than nothing if all I can give are things I no longer use?
- But shouldn’t people be grateful for anything they can get?
The short answer to both questions is “No”. Our students have the same needs and wants as every other student… to look amazing at their grad or prom. They want to wear clothing that has no stains, rips, or broken zippers.
I still have questions
No problem! Send us a message on Facebook or Instagram or contact us.