CRANBERRY TWP — Gowns, gowns everywhere.

Satin florettes dot the bodice of a fluffy white ball gown. Hot pink embroidery livens a black strapless A-line.

Slightly swankier, a burnt sienna beaded sheath dress sports a midriff cutout.

Like many, that dress contains its original tags, sporting a price of $1,850. But like all others at Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church, it will be offered for sale at $20.

"There are so many kids that can't afford to go to prom because they can't afford the dresses," said Nancy Macfarlane, an organizer of the church's March 13 Second Life Prom Dress Sale.

"I have a couple older daughters who went to the prom, and I thought, 'Everyone needs to do this. Everyone needs to go to the prom if they want and not have to worry about paying for a dress.'"

Patterned after the church's annual Closet Classics clothing sale, the first Second Life Prom Dress Sale occurred last year. In addition to new and gently used gowns, this year's event will include shoes, handbags, jewelry and shawls.

"We have three women calling all the bridal shops," said Kelly Stebor, 45, of Cranberry Township, a co-coordinator of the sale.

"A lot of them are donating the (dresses that were) tried on, but never bought."

For last year's event, which included minimal pre-planning, the group took in about 500 gowns, 350 of which were put out for sale. Those too out-of-date or in poor condition were donated to a theater group.

"We didn't put out any we didn't think would sell," Macfarlane said. "They're not out of date by any stretch."

"We sold about 105 that day," Macfarlane added. "And we literally had girls come to the register crying. They were so excited that they were able to purchase a dress, and many of them said they would not be able to go to prom if it was not for our sale."

With more time to get the word out and to solicit dress donations, the group is hoping to expand the gown ministry this year.

"We have 305, and we really haven't collected any yet," Stebor said, citing this year's goal of putting 1,000 dresses on the racks.

Some of last year's dresses were donated to the church after the Cranberry Township Community Chest Run for the Gowns sale, which also sells tried on but never worn dresses donated by retailers.

As well as relying on donated dresses and accessories, the group's large volunteer base includes multiple seamstresses. During the sale, part of those sewers will be on hand to do minor jobs like securing hems or shortening straps. Others will act as consultants, influencing buying decisions by helping shoppers predict costs for more extensive alterations.

Still other volunteers are soliciting donations from friends and acquaintances and will help to sort, tag and display gowns in the church fellowship hall, which transforms into multiple dressing rooms, each with a full-length mirror.

As part of their ministry, Macfarlane said the women encourage shoppers to "pay it forward" by donating back the dresses next season, advertising the ministry by word-of-mouth or doing good deeds in the community.

Although the $20 is waived in some cases, the women say the token fee is charged to discourage shoppers from taking multiple dresses, potentially preventing later shoppers from finding a suitable gown.

The money earned goes toward other church ministries or buying racks, tags and other supplies for the sale.

"This isn't about the money. This is about ministry," said the Rev. James Moran, pastor of the church.

"We had so many testimonials from people who said 'My daughter couldn't have gone to the prom without this opportunity,'" he said.

Dresses not sold March 13 will be kept for next year or donated. Last year, some were donated to a prom for handicapped students. Others were donated to an artisan who uses the fabric for making handbags.

"We'll take anything," Macfarlane said. "If we can't use it, we'll either donate it or trash it if it's that bad. The dresses we've got, we haven't had to trash any of them," she added. "If they just have a small stain, we have a group of women that are working at getting those stains out."

The women say all sizes and styles are needed, noting last year's sale also drew mature women looking for cruise attire and other formal clothing. Plus sizes also are in demand, they said.

The March 13 sale will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dresses and accessories to be donated for the Second Life Prom Dress Sale on March 13 can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church, 2662 Rochester Road, or arrangements can be made by calling Nancy Macfarlane at 724-316-6285 or Kelly Stebor at 724-831-1107.