Do you have a formal dress too pretty to gather dust?

Nutley Commissioner Dr. Joseph Scarpelli announced the township is will collect used prom and dresses for donation.

Local groups Greenutley and the Department of Public Works, with the help of the Nutley Board of Education and the Nutley High School, have scheduled the collection, dubbed "Operation Cinderella," for Wednesday, April 3 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Nutley High School Cafeteria.  

Community members are invited to  donate gently used, no longer needed prom dresses and formal wear that have been cleaned and are ready-to-wear. 

“This program is a win-win for all because it not only gives residents an opportunity to clean out their closets, it also helps those who could use a little boost, while keeping these garments out of landfills,” Commissioner Scarpelli said in a press release.  “This is truly a ‘pay it forward’ type of project, and a great way for the youth of our community to support a great charity,” added the Commissioner.

The prom dresses will be donated to Catherine’s Closets, a non-profit organization in Newark that works with local area high schools with student populations that would normally not be able to afford designer prom dresses.  A small portion of the gowns collected will be used to benefit the students of Sojourn High School, part of the Essex County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Township officials said that for more information about Operation Cinderella, or any other service or program provided by Greenutley or the Department of Public Works, residents can visit www.nutleynj.org or call 973-284-4958. If you, your civic organization or service club would like to donate time to Catherine’s Closet, please visithttp://catherinescloset.org/volunteer.html.