More than 500 girls and young ladies in Windsor-Essex will have another reason to smile in their upcoming prom and graduation.
They were able to pick up a free dress as part of the New Beginning's 'Say Yes to the Prom Dress" initiative this past weekend.
Over four hours on Saturday, girls were able to drop by and browse the huge selection of formal dresses and pick one out.
Samantha Ray-McPherson, 14, was there looking for the perfect dress for her upcoming graduation from Ford City Public School in June.
"I think it's a really good opportunity for girls whose families may not have a lot of money," she says. "I'm not one of the people who worries about the dress, because I'm not a girlie girl, but I think it is very helpful for multiple people."
Although it was a fun occasion, she was looking for a specific dress to remember a loved one.
"I'm planning on picking purple because my mom passed away when I was eight years old, and that was her favourite colour, so I'm planning on picking something purple"
Since it started 12 years ago, Say Yes to the Prom Dress has helped over 1,400 girls find the dress of their dreams.
New Beginnings Executive Director Mary Kay Morand says there were 2,000 dresses available and there was a line-up at the door when the doors opened Saturday at 10am.
--With files from AM800's Teresinha Medeiros and Gord Bacon