The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has prom dresses and formal suits available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

ST. MARYS — The Clothing Closet program at St. Marys High School is expanding.

The program began with Health Teacher Lynn Johnson keeping hygiene items in her office in the gym and with Judy Nutter expanding it to provide free prom dresses to girls on the high school stage and beyond.

The Clothing Closet is now a fully functioning closet which is a classroom that holds everything from prom dresses, men’s suits, hygiene items and more. The school’s Clothing Closet is a dedicated space offering items to any students, whether there is a need or they forgot their practice clothes.

The SMHS Clothing Closet, which has been named Judy’s Closet, has become a beacon of support, empowering young women and men to attend their prom in style without the financial burden, organizers said.

The initiative was born out of a desire to ensure every girl and boy can experience the magic of prom, regardless of their economic situation. With the rising costs of formal wear, the Clothing Closet was created to provide beautiful prom dresses and men’s formal wear at no charge to students.

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has prom dresses and formal suits available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

The success of the project is largely due to the incredible support from local organizations and volunteers, including a particularly notable group known as the Old Lady Gang, organizers said.

This group of women, many of whom are retired, have dedicated countless hours to helping the students. From gathering donations to sorting and organizing the dresses, the Old Lady Gang has been the backbone of the Clothing Closet, ensuring that the students have access to a wide variety of beautiful gowns.

In addition to their support, Jim Rubenstein, who is a St. Mary High School, Community in Schools representative, contacted the St. Mary Correction Facility, who designed and made the shelves, closet, and dressing room that make Judy’s Closet feel like visitors are in a department store.

The Pleasants County Commission along with Jay Powell also aided in some much-needed funding for the project. That included donated pallets from Hensler Town and Country Market and clothing racks which were donated by Jennifer Trunk and Waverly Church of Christ.

“This is something that fills my heart with joy,” said one of the volunteers, Sandy Langford, a member of the Old Lady Gang. “We love seeing the smiles on the girls’ faces when they find a dress they love. It’s all about giving back to our community and making sure these young women feel confident and special on their big night.”

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has prom dresses and formal suits available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

The Clothing Closet has been in operation since St. Marys High School was located on Second Street and by then-Social Service Interventionist Judy Nutter, who continues to volunteer by making alterations on the prom dresses. However, due to support from the community, it has found new life and a new and permanent location.

This year, the closet has been extra busy with students finding their perfect prom dresses.

The initiative has received overwhelming positive feedback from both students and parents alike. Students, staff, and especially school counselor Loura Rinard have expressed their gratitude, thanking the volunteers and community members for providing an opportunity that not only saves money but also helps create lasting memories for children.

As the prom season approaches, the Clothing Closet continues to thrive, fueled by the generosity of the community and the dedicated work of volunteers like the Old Lady Gang, as well as donations from Neighborhood Network, Waverly Church of Christ, Barry Hamilton, Beth Mankins, Melissa Langford Burkhammer, Vaudia Greathouse, Cindy Martin, 93 R, and Brooke Barnhart.

The Clothing Closet is just one example of how a small idea, powered by love and support, can have a big impact. With continued contributions from the community, the hope is that this project will continue for many years to come, ensuring that every student at St. Mary High School not only has the chance to shine at prom but never has to worry about going without something they need or even forgot at home.

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has prom dresses and formal suits available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

For anyone interested in donating or volunteering, the school encourages the community to reach out and contribute to this ongoing effort to support students in need by contacting Loura Rinard at lrinard@k12.wv.us.

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has prom dresses and formal suits available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has clothing available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has hygiene products available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)

The Clothing Closet at St. Marys High School has clothing available to help students in need of assistance. (Photo Provided)