Last year's bridesmaid's dress can get a new life through Catherine's Closet, a charitable organization that collects new and gently used dresses and donates them to girls to wear at their proms.

The West Essex campus of Essex County College is accepting donated dresses until Feb. 22.

Dresses on hangers will be accepted at the campus, located at 730 Bloomfield Ave. in West Caldwell, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

Catherine’s Closet will distribute the dresses in time for prom season.

Gowns must be clean, age appropriate, current, and on hangers. Designer gowns and large sizes are especially needed. Dresses that do not qualify for Catherine’s Closet will be donated to local charities.

Catherine’s Closet was formed in 2002 in memory of Catherine Johnson, an East Orange high school student who was struck and killed by a stolen vehicle. In total, more than 10,000 dresses have been distributed since the program began, said Catherine’s Closet founder Sandy Kessler.

“The College is one of our biggest sources of gowns and to whom we look for dresses each year,” said Kessler. The organization has also awarded $34,000 in scholarship money to needy students.

Additional information on the College’s drop off site is available from Dennia Rentzis, coordinator of admissions at the West Essex campus, at 973-877-6593.