Lakewood Ranch High student launches dress drive

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Thirteen-year-old Kayla Butler didn’t even attend her eighth-grade dance, but the incoming freshman at Lakewood Ranch High School already hopes to make dances at special for fellow students in need.

Butler, now a member of the Silver Stars dance team at Lakewood, is launching a dress drive and is collecting unwanted homecoming and prom dresses, as well as suits, slacks, dress shirts, shoes and accessories for the cause. The items will be made available to students at Lakewood and other schools who cannot afford them prior to homecoming and other big dances.

“There’s a lot of kids that go to school who are less fortunate but you would never know,” Butler said. “Maybe they can’t afford (a dress or suit for dances).”

The East County resident came up with the idea to hold a dress drive about one month ago. And, with Lakewood’s homecoming football game just weeks after school starts, Butler already has been busy working to collect dresses, suits, accessories, shoes and other school dance attire for fellow students.

“It’s a great idea,” Butler’s mom, Sandy, said. “Instead of them going to Goodwill, (people can bring those items here for distribution).”

Butler, who attended Haile Middle School last year, already has asked friends to make donations and has posted information about her drive on Craigslist.com to solicit donations. She’s also made fliers to distribute at local businesses.

“When homecoming comes around, we hope to have a lot (of donations),” she said.

The Butler family is providing space in its barn for donated items and plans to open the building so students can browse through the selection. They also will open it by appointment for students who wish to remain anonymous.

Kayla Butler said she hopes to get Lakewood’s counselor involved in helping to identify students who may like to participate in the program.

“I wanted to put it out there at Lakewood, but people at Lakewood know people at Sarasota,” Kayla Butler said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the cause can email Sandy Butler at [email protected].

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Read five things you didn't know about Kayla Butler here.