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Hair Salon Owner Gives Away Prom Dresses

CATONSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- It's prom season, but finding the right prom dress may be difficult these days because of the tough economy.  The owner of a Catonsville hair salon is reaching out to young women in the area. 

Ron Matz reports on a prom dress giveaway that's just the right fit.

Michal Tate needed a dress for her junior prom.  Her mom joined her at the Julebox Hair Spa, where owner Julie Felder is giving away prom dresses and drawing a crowd.

"You only wear a prom gown one time, so we said maybe if we can get some people to donate, we could help a whole lot of young ladies.  In this economy, people just don't have it.  [We're happy] just to give back and bless some other young ladies," said Felder.  "Everyone donated.  I had a donation night at my church in Morningstar in Catonsville.  My clients and a lot of the employees and their families just gave back."

Michal's prom is just two weeks away.

"My mom told me about this place.  She heard about it on the radio.  It was hard to believe they're giving away prom dresses because they're so beautiful.  Everyone is so nice and genuine here; it's been a great Saturday," Tate said.

"It's very nice.  It's a blessed event for folks who can't make ends meet and do the prom thing.  It's a very nice goodwill gesture," said Linda Tate.

The young women coming in Saturday have nearly 80 dresses to choose from.

"We've just helped so many young ladies.  I'm known to want to save the world -- that's what my husband tells me -- but I believe that I can, one young lady at a time," Felder said. 

Michal made her choice and she looks beautiful.

"I didn't realize how much my daughter has blossomed and turned into a nice young lady.  She gets good grades and is very smart.  I was so suprised to see her fit that dress 100 percent.  I wasn't ready for that.  I wanted my little girl back, but you can't hold them too tight," Linda Tate said.

Felder said if she still has some dresses after the prom season, she will continue the giveaway during May.

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