Student Collecting Dresses for Underprivileged Girls

Most young girls will not think twice about going to a school dance or prom.

But for others, it’s just a dream.

Rachel Coughlin wants to make some of those dreams come true.

Coughlin, a junior at , is collecting gently-used and new dresses for underprivileged girls to wear to social functions in the coming weeks and months.

“There are a lot of girls out there whose families just don’t have the money to spend on a dress,” Coughlin said. “I just want them to experience the joy and fun of something that so many other people take for granted.”

Coughlin’s mother Kathy knows a social worker with the state’s Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). DYFS is a child protection and welfare agency within the state Department of Children and Families. Coughlin gives the dresses to the social worker who then gives them to the girls.

"We hear stories that the girls are so thankful for the dresses," Kathy Coughlin said. "It's so nice to know that we helped them to experience something special."

It is the third consecutive year Coughlin has conducted the fundraiser. She received about 75 dresses each of the first two years.

“When I started this, I truly did not know what to expect,” Coughlin said. “But the response has been overwhelming. Now I know going into this year that I’m going to make a positive impact because people just know now that I’m doing it. Hopefully, I’ll be more successful this year than I was last year.”

Coughlin said that many of the donated dresses are brand new with the sale tags still on them. She is also accepting dress suits for women who need to attend a job interview. Communion dresses and jewelry may also be donated.

Coughlin has already received 20 dresses since announcing this year’s fundraising effort a few days ago.

“I just want these girls and women to experience something that they might not have a chance to any other way,” Coughlin said. “They shouldn’t even have to think about whether they can go or not. They should just go and have a good time.”

To donate a dress, text Coughlin at 973-809-0084 or call Kathy Coughlin at 973-809-1861 to arrange to drop it off or have it picked up.