For many high school juniors and seniors, prom is a night they look forward to all school year.
The night's about having fun and getting glammed up.
Now, the Butterfly Effect Project is hoping to make it a bit easier for girls to find their special dress for free.
"It's like them coming in to their own private boutique to pick out their special dress for their special day," said Amy Sam.
She's one of several volunteers donating her Wednesday night for a big project at the Northgate Mall.
The women unpacking hundreds of dresses for the prom dress giveaway. On March 14, high school girls will soon be able to take home the dress of their dream by simply presenting a valid school ID.
Sam said, "We look at the sizes and we make sure there's no damage or anything on the dress. We then hang it on the rack according to size."
The night was not all about hard work. The women also had a little fun checking out the style and modeling for our camera.
One volunteer said, "Look at this! Cheetah baby. Aw wait, that's not cheetah. It's circles!"
Volunteers spend countless hours and days sorting the dresses to make it easy for the girls to find their perfect fit.
"Our donations come in from the community so we have a lot of variety. It's not often that we get dresses that look like other dresses," said Kisharra Angelety.
She's the Outreach Coordinator for the project. Angelety says on the day of the giveaway, hundreds of girls will 'Say Yes to the Dress.'
The girls will walk the runway, take pictures and even wear a sash saying they're prom queen.
"We call it the Butterfly Effect Project because they really transform before our eyes into beautiful butterflies. We have a lot of tears. We cry, they cry and we have a little cheering section for the parents," Angelety said.
Organizers say this event is one that tugs at their heart, especially when they can help a girl in need have a magical night.
"We don't want any girls to miss out on this important day that they will remember for the rest of their lives," Angelety said.
For those interested in donating, Butterfly Effect will be collecting dresses at several locations in Lafayette this spring. Those dresses will then go to local girls to dance away the night when prom rolls around.
Volunteers are also needed for upcoming dress sorting days. To find out more, click here.
The following is a list of drop-off locations that will be accepting dresses until March 6:
New Day Community Outreach
800 W. Congress
Suite B or C
Lafayette, La
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm
(337) 264-7128
Cajun Creations Gifts & More
600 St. Landry Street
Lafayette
Mon - Fri: 10 am - 6 pm
Sat: 10 am - 2 pm
(337) 889-3647
Cheraki Beauty
3400 Moss Street
Lafayette
Tues - Sat: 10 am - 6 pm
(337) 345-8649
Magnolia Salon & Parlour
2833 Johnston Street
Lafayette
Tues - Fri: 9 am -6 pm
Sat: 9 am - 2 pm
(337) 534-8259
The Skin Loft Med Spa
500 Settlers Trace
Suite 3
Lafayette
Mon: 9 am - 3 pm
Tues - Fri: 9 am - 6:30 pm
(337) 534-8556
Ann Raush State Farm Insurance
810 S. Blaise Lane
Suite F
Youngsville
Mon - Fri: 9 am - 5 pm
(337) 856-5314
Louisiana Christian School
1545 Broussard Hwy
Breaux Bridge
Mon - Fri: 7 am - 5:30 pm
(337) 332-4740
Find out more about the Butterfly Effect Project at the group's Facebook page.
