Westport group passing out free prom dresses for students in Fall River, New Bedford and beyond; here is how

A group of Westport High School students are once again helping local kids have a great prom.

STEEL (Students That Exemplify Extraordinary Leadership) is a group of Westport High School upperclassmen that want to make their community and surrounding communities a better place for everyone. To be a member of S.T.E.E.L., you have to want to be a leader, someone who wants to motivate others to reach a common goal.

According to the group’s advisor, Melissa Maltais-Avila, who is an alum herself and has taught in the community for over 20 years, the goal is to get students out into the community to see what others are struggling with or need help with and be those helpers.

As part of their dedication to the community, for the second straight year, STEEL is collecting prom/semi formal dresses that are 5 years old or less and have been cleaned.

On March 9th from 9:00 a.m. to noon, they will be holding a Prom pop-up shop for students from local communities to come to shop and choose a dress free of charge.

The gently used attire can be dropped off Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at Westport Middle High School, 400 Old County Road at the front office. The pop-up shop will also take place at the school.

Local high schoolers in need with a student ID will be able to shop at the pop-up shop including Dartmouth, Diman, Greater New Bedford Regional Technical Vocational, Case, Somerset Berkley, Durfee, Stang, Apponequet, Fairhaven, ORR, Seekonk, Dighton Rehoboth, Tiverton, Portsmouth, New Bedford, Bristol Aggie, Middletown, Argosy, and Bourne.

Maltais-Avila stated that the group is also collecting monetary donations. All monies collected will be given to a local family in need.

If you have any questions about the drive or want to join the group, contact Melissa at MAVILA@WESTPORTSCHOOLS.ORG.