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54 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 28, 2004 Making sure all girls feel like a princess at prom By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune One local business woman is setting out to create some fairy godmother-type magic. Jodi Bittick, owner of Martinizing Dry Cleaning in Medford, wants to make sure every girl gets the chance to enjoy her high school prom in true princess fashion, whether she can afford to or not. Bittick is creating a prom dress "bank" to help provide formal wear for high school girls who would otherwise miss prom or have to do without a dress they feel good about wearing. The idea came to her after last year’s proms when dresses of every shape, size and color began to trickle in to be dry cleaned � then stored. "We had all these beautiful gowns coming in after prom and we would all stand around and ooh and aah over them," Bittick said. "Then we talked about how sad it was that most of them would only be worn once. Advertisement "I thought, these beautiful dresses are just going to go home and sit in the closet because the majority of girls think it’s not cool to wear the same dress twice. Then I thought about the girls that couldn’t have one because they’re so expensive, that for whatever reason a $200 or $300 dress was just not in the budget." In a fairy tale-sized moment, "Jodi’s Closet" was born. Bittick began collecting dresses last summer. With almost 70 collected so far, Bittick hopes to have between 200 and 300 in time for an April 12 event dubbed "Princess for a Night."At the pre-prom event, girls who need it will get the chance to choose the dress of their dreams, enjoy refreshments and win door prizes donated by local business � such as tuxedo rentals and flowers — to make their special night more complete. Marlene Mish, director of Crossroads alternative school, from which a handful of girls plan to get a dress from Jodi’s Closet, said such a program could make all the difference in the world for kids who might not have some of the advantages that others take for granted. "Probably at least 80 percent of my student body of 150 kids are on or below the poverty level," she said. "For my kids, just graduating is a huge deal. These kids would never dream of having a beautiful dress. With Jodi’s Closet and other local groups that help out, kids who face some pretty horrific obstacles get the chance to just be normal kids for one beautiful and perfect night." If the event is a success, Bittick hopes for the closet to become an annual resource for prom and other high school formals, such as homecoming. Claire Anchick, owner of Town and Country Cleaners in White City, who is helping put the word out about "Jodi’s Closet" and plans to donate tuxedo rentals for the April 12 event, said the idea made perfect sense. "When she told me about her idea, I thought it was just awesome," said Anchick. "I’m sure that many times there are girls that would like to go to the prom and can’t afford that dress. "That dress in the closet — your dress, your daughter’s dress, your sister’s dress — bring it in so it can be put to good use. Somebody would probably just love to use it!" Girls who would like to borrow a dress from Jodi’s Closet are asked to return the dress in good condition and to donate a non-perishable food item for local food banks. To donate a dress or make reservations to attend "Princess for a Night," contact Bittick at 734-9247. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times