project Princess prom gown giveaway continues the legacy of Nelly Eaton - Fall River Herald news

FALL RIVER — Racks bulging with clothes fill a room in a collection on the third ground of 192 Anawan St., in a former mill behind work out World.

these dresses are available a number of colorations and sizes — pink, white, teal, red, crimson and extra — and styles, no matter if graceful or poofy, sequined, with or with out straps. There are more than 600 attire.

And all of them had been donated, talked about Laura Eaton, who began a promenade costume donation drive referred to as project Princess in reminiscence of her daughter Jenelle "Nelly" Eaton, who changed into a senior at B.M.C. Durfee high college when she died ultimate November, following over a yearlong combat with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare sort of melanoma.

Laura Eaton mentioned she remembers pondering, "What will we do? promenade is developing. What do we achieve this these children believe like Nelly continues to be here?"

So she launched into the donation force, and made the first call for donations by means of fb in early April. It yielded 300 dresses. And on account that then, greater than 300 additional clothes have arrived. The racks had been additionally donated. different donations, together with vouchers offering promenade-goers a complementary hair styling at the Rob Roy Academy, have additionally are available in.

"All of here's a blessing," Eaton said, explaining that she hopes to supply these attire, all of that are either brand new or had been worn most effective once, to excessive college students of their senior yr who need to go to prom this season, however who cannot have enough money to buy a new gown. They commonly can charge between $500 to $1,000.

a lot of the dresses gathered via mission Princess are new — "They haven't even been worn yet," she spoke of.

Eaton additionally begun a groundwork in her daughter's reminiscence, referred to as NellyStrong, headquartered within the same suite. a website is at the moment in the works, she mentioned.

Nelly Eaton changed into standard throughout the metropolis. A cheerleader and softball participant, she become also a fixture at proms, a truth captured in copious pictures, community pictures and selfies that show off her now-regular smile.

photos of Nelly held up by means of clothespins line the doorway to the room that includes all the clothes.

originally, venture Princess provided the donated dresses to college students at Durfee and Diman Regional Vocational Technical excessive college. Now that providing has improved, to include college students at Atlantis charter college, Bishop Connolly, Somerset Berkley, Case, Westport, Fairhaven and more suitable New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical excessive faculty.

There are not any standards that should be met for college students who need a dress.

"We just had to let or not it's open," Eaton stated, including that flyers advertising the pressure had been posted far and wide faculties and emails sent to counsel counselors.

She has scheduled showings at the groundwork this week for Wednesday, from 1 to five p.m., Thursday from to 5 p.m., and for Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. those attracted to attending or seeking more information can call the foundation's workplace at 508-567-5116.

As Eaton spoke about mission Princess, a lady, Asia Garrafa, 23, and her more youthful sister, Ciara Garrafa, 18, walked throughout the basis door, looking for a promenade costume so Ciara can attend Durfee's senior prom.

Eaton asked Ciara what dimension and colour she'd like.

"Any dark colour," Ciara mentioned.

"I didn't go to prom as a result of I couldn't come up with the money for a costume," her sister pointed out.

Eaton rifled through the racks and shortly accumulated an armful of clothes. She held out one with a sequined neckline. "Is that the vogue you have been attempting to find? Poofy?"

Ciara nodded. but another gown, which is light green, also caught her eye. She wanted to are attempting on that one, as well.

those that obtain a dress by means of task Princess don't should preserve it after prom.

"in case you need to donate the costume lower back, which you could," Eaton talked about.

promenade season is underway in excessive schools around more advantageous Fall River, with senior proms nevertheless weeks away. each Diman and Durfee have their senior proms arising on June 3.

"There's three and a half weeks left," Eaton observed.

Eaton spoke of it's been a protracted five and a half months when you consider that her daughter died. but she remembers one component Nelly informed her earlier than that point came: "everything could be adequate."