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METRO DETROIT — With the new school year approaching, that means homecoming season will soon arrive.
For high school students in need of a homecoming dress — or even one for special occasions — Sparkle Network’s Dress Into A Dream Homecoming Dress Sale Program will begin next month.
The dress sale program allows high school students to try on dresses for the homecoming dance. The dresses are sold for $10 each, and buyers can purchase more than one outfit. Dresses are available in all sizes and lengths.
Some of the donated dresses are gently used, while others are brand new. Some attire was donated from Macy’s at the Somerset Collection in Troy.
Sparkle Network Founder Moe Lietz, a 1992 Romeo High School graduate, has set up a number of locations that she will transform into a temporary dress shop. Students who register for the program have a scheduled time to come in and try on dresses. The clothing will be on racks, and students can choose from various colors and styles.
“Pretty dresses are not cheap, and I have grateful parents every fall that don’t have to spend a lot of money,” Lietz said.
The Dress Into A Dream Homecoming Dress Sale Program will be offered at the following locations on these dates:
• Sept. 2 at Marlaina Photo Studio in Shelby Township.
• Sept. 3-4 at American House East 1 in Roseville.
• Sept. 10 at the Dobrusin Law Firm in Pontiac.
• Sept. 11 at Radiant Waxing in Troy.
• Sept. 16 at Meadowbrook Center for Learning Differences in Rochester.
• Sept. 17 LO Palooza in Lake Orion.
Those interested in buying a dress can log on to the website at sparklenetwork.org. From there, shoppers fill out a registration form and sign up for a time and location to go shopping.
The support of local businesses helps the success of Sparkle Network.
“We are excited to partner with Sparkle Network for this event,” said Dina Kelly, senior vice president of sales and marketing of American House. “At American House, community means everything to us, and being able to support local students to ensure they can have a fun night was simply an opportunity we didn’t want to miss.”
All proceeds from the homecoming dress sales will be used to purchase items for Sparkle Network’s Prom Closet Project Tour 2023. The prom tour is similar to the homecoming dress sale program. Lietz sets up various locations where prom gowns and accessories are provided. The accessories include shoes, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and nail polish.
For Lietz, being able to provide beautiful dresses at a low cost is rewarding — especially when she can help families who might be struggling financially. She can see the emotion on parents’ faces when they see their daughters in their dresses.
“I see tears at prom time every year,” she said.
