Sandy victims go to prom wearing donated dresses
The ballroom of the Bay Ridge Manor looked like the dress department at Macy’s on Tuesday, as scores of teenage girls arrived to pick out the elegant dresses they would wear to the senior prom.
Racks of dresses were standing against one wall. Nearby, a table filled with purses, jewelry, shoes, and other accessories were undergoing scrutiny by eager eyes. Another table was filled with cosmetics.
It was all part of “Operation Senior,” an event organized by Brooklyn resident Mary Beth Bevacqua to help high school seniors whose homes had been destroyed by Super-storm Sandy find dresses and accessories to wear to the prom for free.
Bevacqua had arranged with several companies, including New York Dress Company, Revlon, and the Jones Group, to donate dresses and accessories to the event and then booked the Bay Ridge Manor. Bevacqua also talked hair stylists and make-up artists into donating their services to provide free consultations.