In 2009, a teen from the Interact Club at Avon High School (AHS) approached Pam Lyons, Rotary Club of Avon liaison, and Heather Meunier, AHS English department head and faculty advisor for the club, with a unique idea to help others during their memorable prom season.
“She knew there were girls who couldn’t afford to go to prom, and everything we do in Interact is to help someone who needs something,” Lyons said.
They began offering a prom sale each spring with gently used and donated attire. Students can purchase everything they need at a greatly reduced price, and sales are donated to Sheltering Wings, a domestic abuse shelter in Hendricks County.
The 2025 prom sale will be held on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Avon High School, Door 29.
A professional seamstress donates her time to discuss dress options and alterations, music is playing, decorations enhance the atmosphere, and it’s simply a fun day for all involved.
Over a decade ago, staff from the Rotary Club worked the popular prom sale at the high school because they didn’t want any of the shoppers to be embarrassed or intimidated by their peers working the sale, but these days it doesn’t seem to matter. Getting a great deal and giving back is popular among young people.
“Our Interact students work hard to set this all up and get it ready,” Lyons said. “There’s no embarrassment at all. They have a lot of fun and enjoy themselves. A lot of people can afford to buy at the store but they’re spreading the word. We’re totally open to those who want to save money and it helps a good cause.”
This year the Interact Club will be looking for donations. It’s time to clean out the old inventory and replace it with new pieces.
“We accept donations of gently used prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, shawls and bags,” Lyons said. “Dresses are $10, shoes are $2 and accessories are $1, so for $20 you can walk out of there with everything you need for prom.”
From February 10 through March 10, the Interact Club will accept donations at Avon High School (Door 29), or at Cass & Company Salon at 7374 Business Center Drive Avon.
Lyons estimates they’ll have well over 300 dresses, and in addition to a donation of at least $1,000 to the nonprofit, some dresses not sold at the prom sale will be donated to the women at Sheltering Wings for their annual fundraising gala in the spring.
Outside of the prom sale, the Interact Club is doing some amazing things. This year more than 100 students (male and female) have signed up and attend a monthly meeting at the high school.
It’s a club that springboards off of the Rotary Club’s motto: “Service above self.”
“We’ve adjusted it a bit for the kids,” Lyons said. “The Interact Club talks about learning leadership through service. We serve the schools, the community, and with the Rotary Club. Sometimes it’s people in need of food or shoes, and sometimes it’s an elementary school that needs boots on the ground for their big event.”
The 45-minute meetings include an opening game or ice breaker and snacks, followed by an update on projects accomplished and results from various volunteer opportunities. Then new services are presented, giving students an event or volunteer opportunity they can sign up for through the available QR code posted at the beginning of the meeting.
“It might be to show up at 3 a.m. for the Indy Honor Flight and cheer on our veterans, it might be the Rotary’s shoe drive in the fall, or it might be weekly tutoring opportunities at one of the schools,” Lyons said. “When the meeting is over, every slot is filled. We’ve never had to beg or figure out who will do what. These students are amazing.”
Perhaps it’s the variety of options that pulls teens in to participate.
Lyons said walking into an Interact Club meeting might feel like walking into a United Nations meeting.
“It’s such a beautifully diverse group of kids,” Lyons said. “For the first time this year, we sent eight to 10 of our students to volunteer at Avon Schools’ multilingual event. “The director later thanked me and said our volunteers did a perfect job. They’re playing on their own strengths and interests, and giving back to help others.”
To end each meeting, students participate in what they call the end-of-meeting service. They have colored Thanksgiving images to laminate and create placemats for a local senior living facility, they’ve written notes to veterans to honor them and lift their spirits, and much more.
Whatever the task, every student has an opportunity to give back right then and there, as well as sign up for the next month to participate in various volunteer opportunities.
The Interact Club is year-round. Meetings are typically held the third Thursday of the month with a few holiday exceptions, and begin right after school until approximately 4 p.m. Reach out to the program sponsor at hlmeunier@avon-schools.org.
