While Bellevue students are spending hundreds of dollars on dresses, tuxes, limos and expensive meals, one Newport student will be giving back to others by organizing a charity prom for a local shelter.

“I thought it would be kind of fitting for the time, because that’s when a lot of high school proms are going on and a lot of money is being spent on ourselves and our dates,” said Isaac Chan. “I wanted to put together a special night for other people.”

Chan has partnered with Hope Place, a Seattle shelter run by the Union Gospel Mission where he had done mission work, to throw a prom for around 90 women and 50 children in the shelter.

Volunteers will provide hairstyling, makeup and manicures for attendees at no cost before they experience a three-course dinner, desserts, dancing, and a photo booth. A day care will also be set up for the 30 younger children, so their mothers can enjoy the evening.

While Chan began setting up this event on his own, Newport clubs and community members quickly took up the mantle. The school’s Key Club and Hunger Project Club are creating corsages for the event, culinary students will cater the meal, the school jazz combo will be perform and students across the school have donated more than a hundred dresses.

Students and locals also contributed $400 in cash and over $2,200 online, bringing the event close to Chan’s initial $3,000 goal. “A lot of the cash donations came in from friends of mine seeing me in the hall and saying ‘I don’t have much, but here’s ten dollars,’” said Chan.

“Promless for Hope Place” will take place Saturday, a week after Chan went to his own prom. The event and what he has learned from organizing it changed his outlook on prom, he said.

“I decided to go to prom this year, but I’m making a conscious effort to cut back,” Chan said. “Why would I pay $80 on a limo with my friends that could feed 10 people dinner for a night instead?”