AMESBURY, Mass. — After a devastating theft last year, a new prom dress charity shop is opening up thanks to the kindness of strangers.
Last April, thieves stole about 15 gowns from the Tammi's Closet charity in Amesbury. But after our story aired, viewers responded by giving back so much more than what was taken.
Hundreds of dresses, shoes and jewelry pieces sit on display in a one-stop prom shop, where girls can find their dream dress.
Exeter high school Seniors Molly Hemenway and Elizabeth Marsden are getting ready for their prom and there’s a lot to plan – and pay for.
“Dress, nails, make-up, hair, depending if you want to do those yourself, shoes, ticket, food, transportation,” Marsden listed.
On average, the cost to go to prom is about a thousand dollars. For many families, it's money they simply don't have.
That's where Betty Vitale comes in.
“I'm thrilled about opening today,” Vitale said. “I was nervous and I don't know why.”
Betty started Tammi's Closet as a way to honor her late daughter. It came about after she donated Tammi's prom dress to a girl who didn't have one.
Vitale started collecting dresses to give away for free, but last April, someone stole about a dozen dresses from her.
After FOX25 reported the story, Vitale says something amazing happened.
“Everybody heard about it on the TV and just started sending me everything: money, dresses. It was just unbelievable,” Vitale explained.
Since the theft, Tammi's Closet has amassed 800 dresses and the donations – plus a grant from her church – allowed her to open up this storefront location.
“And for people who can't afford a $500, even a $200 prom dress, they can still look really pretty,” said Marsden.
Vitale says the outpouring of support from FOX25 viewers and beyond has helped her help more girls.
“I think [Tammy] would be proud of it. I know she'd be honored,” Vitale said.
You can find Tammi's Closet on Facebook here to support.
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