By Theresa Knapp 

UPTON - Last winter Olivia DaSilva, now a senior at Nipmuc Regional High School, decided to start a chapter of Becca's Closet when she was looking for a prom dress for herself.  

Becca’s Closet was founded in memory of Rebecca (“Becca”) Kirtman in Florida in 2003 after she died at age 16 in a tragic automobile accident. Becca had started the program before she died and “helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their High School proms in style,” according to beccascloset.org.  

DaSilva discovered Becca’s project and passion while looking for a place to donate her own dress. “I realized that prices were very high, especially considering all the additional costs of prom [shoes, accessories, hair, makeup, flowers, tickets, transportation], and while I am fortunate enough to afford it, I knew that not everyone could.”

Nipmuc’s chapter of Bella’s Closet will hold its first free prom dress giveaway on Jan. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School. Pictured here are chapter members Olivia DaSilva (founder of Nipmuc’s chapter) and Charlotte St. Pierre. Courtesy photo

On Jan. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m., Nipmuc’s Bella’s Closet chapter will offer its first round of free prom dresses at Nipmuc High School. The local chapter has collected 500 dresses to date, some new, some used, and some donated directly from dress stores. 

 DaSilva says the local community has been supportive from the beginning. “I expected to only collect about 30 dresses from my first collection date, but got more than 100.” 

On the first Friday of every month, they collect dresses. Nipmuc’s Bella’s Closet has a rack in the lobby where people can leave dresses, and chapter members gather them at the end of the school day then keep them in a storage closet.

DaSilva says she is also her Class Treasurer and is helping plan her senior prom. “Since I get to see both sides of prom, I feel like this is important to ensure that everyone can be included and have access to the resources they need. The high prices to host prom are not always accommodating for everyone, so being able to help out with one part can make a huge difference.”

During the prom dress giveaway, students will enter the high school through the main doors and stay to the right to find the second floor Blue Wing where dress racks will be set up for “shopping.” Once prom-goers select a few dresses, they can use the restrooms to try on the garments as they search for their dream dress. 

For more information or to sign up, visit https://www.beccascloset.org/chapters/nipmuc-high-school/ or email [email protected]. You can also reach them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/beccascloset/.