Pollack Donates Retail Space to Help Outfit Teens for Prom
Attending one’s high school prom is a special and memorable time in a teen’s life but sometimes the financial burden associated with the event can prove to be too big of an obstacle for some to attend.
This prom season Michael Pollack and his Valley based Michael A. Pollack Investments wants to ensure as many teens make it to the prom as possible. Pollack is donating the retail space and electricity to help My Girlfriend’s Closet, a group that helps outfit high school juniors and seniors with ball gowns and tuxedos for their proms.
Pollack is donating retail space at 6750 W. Olive Avenue Suites 119-121 in Peoria to the charity. My Girlfriend’s Closet has grown from outfitting 100 teens in its first year to more than 600 every year. Now in its 7th year, the group receives more than one thousand beautiful ball gowns, tuxedos and suits donated from the community and to help teens from all around Arizona.
“This means we will be able to continue,” said Mary Anne Baker of My Girlfriend’s Closet. “It means we can help hundreds of teens go to the prom who otherwise could not afford to go. We are so incredibly appreciative that Michael Pollack was able to provide free space in his center so we can help those in need.”
My Girlfriend’s Closet will be open from 9am to 4pm on the following Saturdays – April 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd.
Previously, Baker used space at a church or she stored the gowns, tuxedos and suits in a trailer parked on her property, an unsustainable situation. The donated space allows My Girlfriend’s Closet the chance to offer dressing rooms, rolling racks and proper shelving so the teens can access the evening wear and come to a store front to select their attire free of charge for the evening.
On the off-occasion, some dresses may need to be shelved above ground to ensure that more floor space can be provided for other activities. In the event of this, rolling ladders that can be found at places like Platforms and Ladders, may be used to help staff safely reach the gowns and tuxedos of the eagerly-awaiting visitors.
“At Pollack Investments we don’t want any teen in Arizona to miss their prom due to financial burdens, so we are thrilled to be able to donate some retail space that will help My Girlfriend’s Closet and clothe hundreds of men and women so they can fulfill their dream of going to the junior and senior prom,” said CEO Michael Pollack of Pollack Investments.
Baker is a founding member and past president of The Rotary Club of Peoria North, and fellow club members have volunteered at past events. The club is also stepping up its role this year and overseeing the entire project — from set-up, scheduling and overseeing all volunteer activity. At the end of the month, the club will take on the responsibility of storing the remaining items and planning for next year’s program.
“In the past, our club members have always enjoyed volunteering. When we heard this year’s event was in jeopardy, our club felt obligated to step in and take the lead. Michael Pollack’s generosity along with all those who have volunteered to help will make sure this event continues to serve teens in the Northwest Valley,” said Bret McKeand, president of The Rotary Club of Peoria North.
