DES MOINES, Iowa — Sam Swamberg gives away free prom dresses to teens. She has made it her mission for everyone to go to prom regardless of the price tag.
“I had just gotten word that girls were not going to prom because they couldn’t afford the dress and that just kind of broke my heart. So, I decided we can do something about this,” Swamberg said. “I had one small little idea and the community has just exploded and been so supportive.”
In 2022, she turned to Facebook and asked for prom dress donations. Since then, it has become an annual pop-up shop in the metro. Since starting Pretty for Prom, Swamberg has given away more than 800 dresses.
The reactions of teens and their families are priceless. “It’s so heartwarming. People are just truly so thankful,” Swamberg said.” A daughter was [in] trying on dresses and the mom was in tears. She was like ‘I live paycheck to paycheck like thank you so much.’”
Swamberg is happy knowing teens can go to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I feel like a princess,” a local high school senior said, “It’s my last and only prom that I’m ever going to be able to go to so it means a lot.”