Clothing for special occasions can be expensive. Homecoming, prom and wedding attire can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

“I don’t want to spend $1,000 on an outfit that I will only wear one time,” said Ursuline High School student Vada Ruby who, assisted by her mom Rachael, tried on prom gowns.

Ursuline’s prom is Saturday at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles.

The self-described “formal clothing closet,” Diva Donations, 11836 South Ave., North Lima, comes to the rescue of moms and daughters trying to be financially responsible while still looking beautiful at their formal event. The nonprofit has successfully survived 10 years, including through the pandemic.

Diva Donations founder, Kristin Riddick Bodendorfer, explained its origins. “My daughter was moving out of my home. We had helped her friends who lived with their grandparents on fixed incomes attend dances and special events by purchasing dresses at thrift stores. Her closet was full. I put a post on Facebook that said, ‘Prom is coming. If anyone needs a dress or if anybody has a dress, let me know.’

“Instead of cleaning out her closet, I filled her bedroom and another room with 200 dresses in three months. I knew I was supposed to do something with this.”

Located on the second floor of The Old School Marketplace (former South Range High School), Diva Donations uses former classrooms as a Prom Room with long gowns, a Homecoming Room with shorter-length attire, an accessories room with shoes, purses, jewelry and fitting rooms, and a Wedding Room.

Susan Shank, secretary of the Diva Donations board, contributed numerous dresses.

“I owned a store in Lisbon called Fashion Forward. It was a clothing boutique and bridal shop on the other side. I would take inventory from companies going out of business. I was looking for somewhere to donate an overstock of 500 prom and homecoming dresses. I found Diva Donations,” Shank said.

Four years later, Shank became a volunteer. Her business experience makes this a perfect place for her to help.

“I am involved with numerous nonprofits, but Diva Donations touched my heart. There is nothing like helping a girl experience going to prom, homecoming, military ball or Quincenera when she otherwise may not have been able to do so,” Shank said.

Shank and other volunteers are known as fairy godmothers, and help with dress and accessory selection, do repairs and sewing, clean and restock the dresses.

“I like the black and white stripes,” said Ruby about her dress choice. “It reminds me of Cruella De Vil (the villain in ‘101 Dalmatians’).”

Diva Donations is a family affair for Riddick Bodendorfer. Her daughter, Amelia, encouraged her to start it. Her other three daughters have been involved with the nonprofit and her son put up the clothing racks. Emma still volunteers.

While there is a small fee for the wedding attire, Riddick Bodendorfer created a unique way for the teens to rent their formal wear — #KindDeedCurrency program. They volunteer for two hours at a 501c3 nonprofit.

She said that #KindDeedCurrency “relieves financial stress, empowers girls to help themselves, encourages giving back to the community and builds leadership skills and social responsibility,” she said.

Riddick Bodendorfer said she believes it is important teens realize they can make a difference in their community while helping themselves. She thinks volunteerism should be promoted.

“If we do not encourage volunteerism, it will cease to exist. Things do not magically happen. They happen because someone cares.”

“We have served over 3,000 girls in 12 counties and three states. Over 50 nonprofits have been helped through our #KindDeedCurrency program. And the smiles on the girls’ faces as they choose an outfit are one of the best payoffs I can have,” Riddick Bodendorfer said.