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JOSE F. MORENO/Courier-Post
Theresa Rusk (left) and Samantha Elder, both of Gloucester City, seek out bargain dresses at Fairy Godmothers Prom Fair in Philadelphia. |
A real-life fairy godmother helps teenagers find a perfect gown for their upcoming prom
By JUDITH W. WINNE
Courier-Post Staff
In a confection of a gown that looked like its wearer might step into a horse-drawn carriage and be whisked to the ball, 17-year-old Theresa Rusk of Gloucester City modeled for her mother.
"You look like Cinderella," said 36-year-old Diane Rusk.
Who else to thank but a fairy godmother?
On a recent Saturday morning, 20 teenage girls from Gloucester City attended Fairy Godmothers Prom Fair in Philadelphia.
And, for a storybook ending, they all found dreamy prom dresses for $5 each.
The magic wand-waving founder and president of Fairy Godmothers Inc. is Joyce Jesko, a 50-year-old businesswoman who almost didn't make it to her own prom three decades ago because money was tight.
Jesko hopes for happily-ever-after stories in which every girl who wants to gets "to be the princess" one night a year.
There are a few rules: only one dress to a girl and the girl must be a junior or senior going to a junior or senior prom. Jesko wants only teens with financial hardships to attend the fair.
There are two remaining fair dates this year, at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 17 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at the Frankford Arsenal, Tacony and Bridge streets, Philadelphia.
Shirley Cleary, Gloucester City High School's attendance officer, is an organizer of the school's treks for prom dresses.
She, other staffers and parents already collect special-occasion dresses for girls who need prom gowns. A bus load of Gloucester City girls attended last year's prom fair in Philadelphia.
"Thanks to Fairy Godmothers, we were able to send a lot more girls to the prom," said the 58-year-old Cleary.
Those who work with students understand the importance of social milestones in a teen's life.
"It's something they never, ever get to do again and I'd like to see that they go," said Cleary.
On the third floor of an ancient building at the Frankford Arsenal, Cleary shepherded the girls past racks of dresses, many of them new, donated by Alfred Angelo, David's Bridal and other gown emporiums, as well as individuals.
It was Cleary who snagged the pink princess gown with the layered skirt and tiny pearls that would fit Theresa Rusk like, well, Cinderella's slipper.
Initially, Samantha Elder tried on the dress, but it wasn't what you would call the one. It didn't fit perfectly.
But the 17-year-old Elder soon found just what she wanted, a full-skirted gown in lipstick red with a sparkly, beaded bodice.
"It looks beautiful," said the grinning senior. "It's poufy and I liked it because it was bright. I want to stand out this year."
In leafing through thousands of dresses, the girls have helpers. Personal shoppers assist them in sorting through the racks, grouped by size. With a dress in hand, girls forage for shoes and accessories. For a few dollars, teen shoppers pick up shoes, costume jewelry, evening bags and makeup.
Last year, 750 girls were matched with gowns. This year, Jesko expects to dress at least that many teens.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for these kids," said Dorette J. Ligons-Ham, a Fairy Godmothers volunteer who works with homeless students in Philadelphia.
Adults relished the scene, too.
Ingrid Mayberry, who has no daughters, accompanied her son's prom date to the fair. The teen ended up a pretty-in-pink vision.
"She's the belle of the ball," chirped Mayberry.
By any measure, the morning - what one teacher called "the thrill of the hunt" - was a success. The girls bagged lovely dresses.
How would Theresa Rusk describe her dress?
She answered slowly.
"Affordable and elegant. It looks like something you would spend a lot of money on. It's great how there are people out there who really care and want to make a difference in someone's life and bring a smile to someone's face."
Fairy Godmothers fills a need.
"If they didn't have something like this," said Rusk, "a lot of people wouldn't be able to attend a prom."
Fairy Godmothers' Jesko, now in her fourth year of the program, believes in the cause. She got the idea from a similar organization in Arizona and wants to see it spread like frosting on a cake.
"Every major city should have an organization like this," she said.
IF YOU GO
Reach Judith W. Winne at (856) 486-2441 or [email protected]
