HAZLETON, Pa. — It's not something you see every day, racks of prom dresses hanging inside the Hazleton City Police Department on North Church Street.
This year, officers are collecting gently used dresses to donate to Hazleton Area High School students this prom season.
Officer Jessica Surkin wants to make sure every student can have the full prom experience.
"I want them to have that experience where they get to shop, they get to look at multiple dresses, they get to try them on, they get to see what it's like and get the experience everyone else has," said Surkin, Public Information Officer.
This is the first year the department is hosting the drive, and they are asking the community to help make this happen. Surkin tells Newswatch 16 that donations are already rolling in.
"I'm seeing a lot of people who are even out of this area who are like, yo, I'm gonna donate dresses, we're going to get this done. We're going to help some girls make their prom dreams come true," said Surkin.
They are also accepting prom shoes.
"We're going to take just about anything we can, and we're going to try to get it pushed out this season. If not, we'll hold onto it for the next year so somebody else can try that," added Surkin.
Donations can be dropped off inside the 13th Street side of the building to the records clerk.
But if you can't make it to the station, Surkin will do her best to help.
"Give me a call. I might be able to pick them up if you have enough. If not, please bring them here to the station. Let us know you're here to drop a dress off. We'll put it back with our stock, and we'll get it pushed out to a young girl in need," Surkin said.
The police department is accepting dresses until March 25th so they can be ready for the beginning of prom season.
"If I can just help one girl be dressed for prom and make herself feel pretty and confident, that's what matters to me. That's what I want to see happen," added Surkin.
Surkin tells Newswatch 16 they are still deciding which days they will open their doors so teens can pick out and try on dresses, but they will have updates on the department's Facebook page.