Prom season should be fun, but for so many students expenses can mount quickly. Some may even choose to skip this milestone event in order to save the hundreds of dollars some spend on dresses, accessories, and everything else that goes into the big night.

But thanks to a team of volunteers at the Bristol County Elks Lodge #1860, help is on the way.

Cathy Keighley, the Elks’ Leading Knight, is spearheading a free prom shopping event for high school juniors and seniors who live in Bristol, Warren, and Barrington. Assisted by Elks co-chairs Michelle Medeiros, Gina DiSano and Deb Coccio, as well as Jessica Williams of the East Bay Community Action Program, the team has been busy collecting and organizing gowns, shoes, evening bags and jewelry for the ladies and suits, tuxedos, dress slacks, shirts and shoes for the gentlemen.

According to Keighley, the space, located on the third floor of the Byfield School, is chock full of hundreds of items, all of which will be offered completely free of charge.

Keighley hopes it is a success and that they can make it an annual event.

“We are only able to do this thanks to the space [Town Administrator] Steve Contente is letting us use at Byfield,” she said. “I can’t thank him enough for that.”

The Junior/Senior Prom Event will be held on two consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in March over six sessions: Friday, March 1 from 2:30 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 7 p.m.; Friday, March 8 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 7 p.m.

Organizers request that students email to reserve a time to come in and shop: jwilliams@ebcap.org.