Dresed up... at Whitmores!

Dresses in a hardware store?

It might not be the typical item you see on display, but these formal gowns at Whitmore Ace Hardware in Wilmington are just a small part of the dresses collected this year for the Melissa's Closet and Crystal's Jewelry Box event.

Since 2011, the annual prom dress drive and sale has outfitted more than 4,200 high school students for prom, with dresses available for just $5 each.

The event was created in honor of Melissa Michalowski and Crystal Carr, who were Reed-Custer High School seniors when they were both tragically killed in a car wreck in December 2008. Melissa was an employee at Whitmore Ace Hardware in Braidwood, where she left a mark on her co-workers as a shining star who was always happy to come to work and help people.

After considering the high costs of attending prom, the staff decided to host a dress drive in honor of Melissa and Crystal, who never got to attend their prom.

In the first year, the collection totaled 120 dresses. Now, the event takes up the entire gymnasium at Godley Park District, with more than 2,000 dresses available.

Dresses, shoes and accessories for donation can be dropped off at all 13 Whitmore Ace Hardware locations.

Melissa's Closet and Crystal's Jewelry Box takes place on Saturday, March 4 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Godley Park District gym.

More information on the event can be found on the Melissa's Closet and Crystal's Jewelry Box official Facebook page, @MelissaCrystalProm.

Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for local students.