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Ladies: Do you have any fancy dresses hanging around your closet? Give them a new chance at life - but, more importantly, donate them to a teenage girl so she can feel beautiful for a night.

The Princess Project provides free prom dresses to Bay Area girls who otherwise could not afford them, and this year collections are taking place through Sunday. Pleasanton's drop-off site is Stoneridge Shopping Center, at guest services on the lower floor. Dresses should be dry-cleaned and on a hanger.

The Princess Project began in 2002 when a high school girl in a youth leadership program happened to mention to staff members that lots of girls can't go to their proms because they don't have the money to buy a dress or accessories.

The women realized that they and many of their friends had dresses from parties, their daughters' proms and weddings that they would be glad to donate. The Princess Project, run entirely by volunteers, was born. It now helps about 4,000 girls each year at its March giveaways in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and San Diego.

The volunteers also hold fundraisers to help with expenses since some gowns and many accessories have to be purchased. And they have to work to get someone to donate space for the spring dress drive and giveaways.

To learn more, visit www.princessproject.org.

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