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Operation Prom: Bringing a night of magic
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Saaida Doyle, left, and Denise Doyle at a dress fitting April 11.

Dozens of local girls will have the chance to feel like Cinderella for prom thanks to the donations and efforts of a local nonprofit, stylists and donors. The Nonprofit Consortium, started by community organizer Cheryl Board, is connecting Rockdale, Newton, and DeKalb students who otherwise couldn't afford to go to prom with beautiful, fitted dresses and head-to-toe services.

Rockdale County High senior Ana Castro, pictured with her mom Maria Castro, found the perfect dress on her first try during a fitting on April 11. This is the first prom for Castro, the oldest sibling in her family, and she looks forward to attending RCHS's April 25 prom at the Marriott hotel in Buckhead.

Mays High School junior Saaida Doyle tried on a beautiful blue dress as seamstress and fashion designer Dolores Hadley consulted with Doyle's mother Denise on dress adjustments, which Hadley is providing free of charge. Denise said she was just as excited as her daughter about the event, since she was not able to attend her own prom when she was a teenager.

The Nonprofit Consortium was started in memory of Board's daughters, Laura, 20, who died in 2003, Emalecia, 18, who died in 2005, and Erin, 29, who died in 2011.

Board recalled the joy and happiness surrounding prom. "It's a rite of passage," she said. "Every girl should have that one night to look beautiful and enjoy herself."

Sponsors and aesthetic artists donating their services include: Puritan Cleaners (David Shipp), jmd Menwear (suits and tuxes), Delores Hadley (seamstress, mother of Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley), Maryland Meadows of Asha Ali Dominican Salon (hair stylist), Phyllis (S7ven) Reid of Kale Darnell Salon, Cuts by Dalphus (Barber), Phylliss Upper Hand Day Spa (Nails & Makeup), Your Sister's Closet Consignment Shop (dresses), By Popular Demand Consignment Shop (dresses), donations from Chester Benton, Janice & Tolbert Morris, Donald Murphy, Richard Oden; special thanks to Eric and Queen Washington.

For more information on Operation Prom or The Nonprofit Consortium, call 678-463-7725.