WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa — With prom season just weeks away, a Des Moines woman is once again working to ensure all Iowans can go to the big dance this spring.
Two years ago, Sam Swanberg, had an idea of opening a pop-up prom dress shop after hearing stories of some high schoolers' families not being able to afford prom dresses.
"We've had stories of, one girl, she has to go up to Mayo [Hospital] for cancer treatments so they couldn't afford to go to prom," she told Local 5 News. "That'll just hit you right in the gut. Like, 'You can, we can, make this happen."
She opened "Pretty for Prom" days later, and it's only expanded since then. She's now on year three of working all by herself.
In total, Swanberg said she's provided hundreds of Iowans with dresses, shoes and accessories — all for free.
"The only rule that I have is they have to show us," Swanberg said. "So they come out and do a little twirl."
The shop's a lively place, full of positivity. Customers who stop by all begin to come together to support each other as they try on different dresses until they find the one. Swanberg's goal is to make sure all the teens who stop by know they are "a princess" and look pretty.
The local nonprofit organization can provide these dresses for free because it receives them all from community donations. Support for her cause has wow-ed Swanberg over her years of service.
"From dress donations to the messages of, 'Thank you for what you are doing, I'm a stranger to you, but just know you are making a difference,'" she said.
"Pretty for Prom" is open Saturdays and Sundays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., all the way until March 30.