The Prom Dress Collection Event, which ran Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, was an opportunity for community residents to rid themselves of unused or once-worn gowns to benefit the Fairy Godmothers Inc., a Hatboro-based nonprofit that provides prom attire for low-income teens.

Judy Trias, marketing director for Willow Grove Park, said the event was a natural complement to the function of the Style Squad. The squad represents the mall through community service projects as well as participation in fashion shows and special events at the mall.

Trias said in return for participation in the squad, members are treated to special monthly programs throughout the school year, including retailing and merchandising seminars, self-defense and personal safety workshops and other activities designed to promote self-development.

"Squad members must not only have an interest in retail, fashion and modeling, but they must also be community minded," Trias said.

"We look for a community service project every year, and this seemed perfect for our group. They are doing a twofold job, collecting dresses and getting the word out about the squad as well."

Trias said the 40 members of the Style Squad, teens age 13 to 18 from every school district in the area, would be working in shifts the entire weekend, collecting prom dresses and accessories, and modeling gowns as well.

"The squad has really embraced this project. And the mall is an ideal venue for the event. This is a perfect match for the mall and the community, who can make a significant contribution without having to make a monetary donation, which is especially hard in this economy."

Style Squad members arrived in shifts and quickly changed into donated prom dresses. Some roamed the mall to peak interest among shoppers, and others helped man the collection site with members of the Fairy Godmothers Inc.

Chrissy Siriani, a student at Springfield Township High School, said she didn't mind feeling a bit out of place in her gown, although she admitted her feet were starting to hurt a bit.

Squad members Rachel Leskowitz, from Lower Moreland High School, and Amanda Frisco, from Abington High School, said their focus was less on fashion, and more on service.

"It feels good to help out other people," Leskowitz said.

Lindsay Young, a student at Council Rock South who has been in the squad for three years, said she always enjoys participating in community-minded projects.

The project is the brainstorm of Joyce Jesko, founder of Fairy Godmothers Inc. Jesko said she had read about an organization in Arizona that made use of prom attire, and called the founder to say she wanted to start up her own group in Pennsylvania.

After volunteering for a full day at the Chicago-based organization, the Glass Slipper Project, Jesko was eager to set up her own operation. There are now five board members of Fairy Godmothers Inc., Jesko said, and their success in just three years has been overwhelming.

"This year was the first time we thought to utilize a mall as a donation site," Jesko said. "And having teens to help model dresses and collect the donations is a great way to get our name out there."

Jesko said the hundreds of dresses collected at the event, along with thousands more donated by bridal shops, would be brought to the Fairy Godmother's Prom Fair 2003, to be held April 5, 6, 12 and 13 at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia.

"We have to have a site for the fair that is easily accessible by public transportation," Jesko said.

At the Prom Fair, junior and senior high school students with a valid school ID can purchase gowns, shoes, purses and more, all for less than $10.

Jesko, who resides in Doylestown, said the inspiration for Fairy Godmothers Inc. was not a result of her own prom dreams unfulfilled.

"Yes, I went to my prom," Jesko said. "I just wanted to help out, give back to my community. And I don't have a daughter, so this is a way for me to be involved with young girls."

Jesko is also a board member for Laurel House in Doylestown, a shelter for victims of abuse. Jesko said any donations not suitable for the Prom Fair would be given to Laurel House, as well as drama programs at area schools.

"Some people are just cleaning out their closets, but I just can't say no to donations. I can't imagine turning anything away."

For further information on the Prom Fair 2003, visit www.mypromdress.org. Those interested in joining Willow Grove Park's Style Squad should contact the mall at 215-657-6000.