Organization helps young girls get the ultimate prom experience

Systas 4 Systas ran the Prom Princess Project for girls to say yes to the dress, and get the experience of a lifetime all for free.

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2022, 3:22 PM

Updated 707 days ago

Share:

A local organization is giving young girls who are less fortunate the ultimate prom experience.
Systas 4 Systas in Hillside is helping ease the financial burden for New Jersey teens and their families. The group is running the Prom Princess Project at the Hillside Community Center to say yes to the dress and get the experience of a lifetime all for free.
Hawaiian Thompson-Epps and Ember Lofton have run the pop-up shop for over a decade and every year they say it gets bigger and better with more donations coming in from the surrounding community.
"We get it from our sorority sisters, community leaders, church organizations, high school teachers," Thompson-Epps told News 12. "A lot of the young ladies come back and donate they may donate their 8th grade gown and pick up a senior gown."
Every year it's a story," added Lofton. "One particular story, a whole family came in, to dress to dress the one daughter and they kept saying how I look like their family, and they couldn't afford it."
The shop is open Monday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Girls from outside the Hillside area can come to the pop-up to come get dress, as everyone from across the state are welcomed.
June 10 is the final day to get a dress for this prom season. The group is also taking donations for all things prom and formal related. 


More from News 12
1:35
Huntington Station church pastor accused of sexually abusing 15-year-old girl to face a judge

Huntington Station church pastor accused of sexually abusing 15-year-old girl to face a judge

1:55
Clouds and showers through the day with highs in the 50s

Clouds and showers through the day with highs in the 50s

0:25
Police: Man arrested for exposing himself to 2 teens in East Meadow

Police: Man arrested for exposing himself to 2 teens in East Meadow

0:20
Police: Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet, using credit cards in Suffolk

Police: Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet, using credit cards in Suffolk

0:22
Planet Fitness raising membership fee for first time in 26 years

Planet Fitness raising membership fee for first time in 26 years

2:16
Paris Baguette serves up sweet treats for Mother’s Day

Paris Baguette serves up sweet treats for Mother’s Day

1:07
The East End: Calissa in Water Mill

The East End: Calissa in Water Mill

1:34
The Real Deal: The best deals for mom this Mother’s Day

The Real Deal: The best deals for mom this Mother’s Day

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:44
Long Islanders encouraged to donate nonperishable food to Stamp Out Hunger

Long Islanders encouraged to donate nonperishable food to Stamp Out Hunger

1:03
State DEC: Another concrete block found buried at Bethpage Community Park

State DEC: Another concrete block found buried at Bethpage Community Park

1:44
Resources to find food banks and food programs in the tri-state area

Resources to find food banks and food programs in the tri-state area

0:18
Police: Man dies in Brookville motorcycle crash

Police: Man dies in Brookville motorcycle crash

1:58
Uniondale mom who was in heart failure while pregnant set to celebrate 1st Mother's Day

Uniondale mom who was in heart failure while pregnant set to celebrate 1st Mother's Day

1:29
House Majority Leader Scalise rallies for LI GOP candidates during Franklin Square fundraiser

House Majority Leader Scalise rallies for LI GOP candidates during Franklin Square fundraiser

1:58
Nassau County executive: First class of 7 residents complete training to become armed deputies

Nassau County executive: First class of 7 residents complete training to become armed deputies

2:00
Deputy chief instructor at Nassau Fire Service Academy sustains burns during training exercise

Deputy chief instructor at Nassau Fire Service Academy sustains burns during training exercise

0:38
Navy officials say Bethpage plume is moving about a foot a day

Navy officials say Bethpage plume is moving about a foot a day

1:28
Northport-East Northport Board of Ed meeting discusses finalized budget in 1st meeting since teen's arrest for threat

Northport-East Northport Board of Ed meeting discusses finalized budget in 1st meeting since teen's arrest for threat

2:27
Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

Huntington Town Board hosts second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville