TYLER (KYTX) - Prom is right around the corner, but the fun night out doesn't come cheap.
That's why one Tyler teen started a prom dress drive to make sure less fortunate high school girls get the Cinderella experience they deserve.
CBS 19's Melissa Daigle joins us now to show us the idea behind "pretty as a princess East Texas."
18-year-old Christina Moreno says personal experience inspired her to help less fortunate teens go to prom in style.
"The idea behind starting this is- well, I didn't get to go to my own prom. So, I want to help as many girls as possible go to their own prom," she said.
Christina's mother, Julia, says someone was able to give her a special night out. And she's proud of her daughter for wanting to do the same for others.
"Unfortunately, we were in a financial situation where Christina wasn't able to go. And, you know, now we're able to pay forward the kind of kindness that was done for me and help these other girls, you know, go to prom where they wouldn't otherwise be able to go."
"It's kind of like a rite of passage. Like, as you go through life, how girls either dream of going to prom or their wedding. It's kind of like that."
Christina says that's why she's so excited to give out the dresses ... And there's plenty of them to go around.
"I'm supplying dresses, accessories, shoes, hair and makeup."
Luckily Christina's mother is keeping an inventory.
"Let's say it's a David's Bridal, purple, size 4."
Donations of all colors and sizes have flooded Christina's bedroom.
"It's just amazing. It's truly, honestly a blessing."
Just, everything that's happening, all the people who are saying this is amazing. All the people who are donating.
"We did not expect this kind of overwhelming response. It's touched a lot of women who did not get to go to their own prom."
"I'm excited for prom time to come around, just to help out people."
And make each young woman feel as pretty as a princess.
Christina says she's taking dresses all the way up until the day after Valentine's Day.
And, if you have someone you'd like to nominate for a dress, you have up until March 1st.@
We have all the information you need on how to donate a dress or nominate a teen for one.
Click on the hot button, and go to Thursday's headlines.
