During darks days of winter a few thoughts of spring can bring a lift. Project Self-Sufficiency, an organization that serves Warren and Sussex Counties, is thinking of spring and seeking donations of new and gently used formal wear just in time to encourage some foraging through closets and drawers before a big spring clean up.

Items sought include prom dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, gowns for mothers-of-the-bride, evening bags, jewelry, wraps and shawls, as well as shoes in good condition for display in the agency’s annual “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop.

 Dresses must be dry cleaned and on a hanger.  In the shop, which is housed on Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus, gowns and accessories are displayed in a boutique-like setting, and teen girls are invited to select shoes, wraps and jewelry to complement their dress.  The Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop will be open during select dates in the spring.

“The community has been particularly supportive of the ‘Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop’ every year, and we are fortunate to have a large collection of beautiful gowns and accessories in our collection,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We believe that every young woman deserves the chance to have a beautiful dress for that special, once-in-a-lifetime event, and we are looking forward to opening the prom shop again this spring.”

 Donations are accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information about the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop, or to find out more about any of the programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Photo: Teen patrons display prom dresses obtained at the ‘Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop’ offered by Project Self-Sufficiency.