MIDDLETOWN — Five years ago, upon realizing that a friend would be unable to afford a dress for an eighth-grade formal dance, then-middle schooler Emily Moffitt posted a request on her mother’s Facebook account, asking residents of the surrounding Middletown, Odessa and Townsend areas for possible donations.

Initially, she expected only a handful of responses and enough dresses for both her friend and fellow classmates to wear. She did not anticipate that, since that first post Feb. 7, 2016, hundreds of dresses would be donated, allowing for anyone in and beyond the Appoquinimink School District to have one for any formal occasion throughout the year.

Nor did she predict that she, alongside her family, friends and fellow volunteers, would be starting Priceless Moments, a nonprofit organization that provides formal dresses, gowns, suits and tuxedos for individuals in need.

“I wasn’t necessarily planning on doing (that Facebook post); it just kind of happened, and I just took it on,” said Ms. Moffitt, a First State Military Academy senior. “I had 75 gowns (donated) that evening, I had a meeting with my financial and legal backer I had that year, as well as a location for the event, and scheduled meetings to go pick up at least 100 more gowns.”

Little did she know, Priceless Moments would grow into a opportunity for everyone to have that memorable “all-around experience” — free of charge.

“I not only have dresses — I (also) have a selection of shoes. I have jewelry. I have several seamstresses, hairdressers and makeup artists — just anything you could possibly need in my back pocket to try to help girls have the best experience they could have and cover as many of the big financial gaps I can for them,” she said. “We want (everyone) to have that experience. … We don’t want them to feel like they’re getting a hand-me-out or pitied or this, that or the other; we want them to feel like they are just like every other girl that is getting their perfect ... dress.”

But as the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading across the state and country last year, Priceless Moments was forced to temporarily put itself on hold.

Due to the statewide closures and lockdowns during the first few months, Ms. Moffitt found herself storing nearly 700 dresses and gowns in her Middletown home. She eventually found a suitable storage unit to save donated attire, until the state began to open back up and Priceless Moments could continue its mission of helping others in need.

However, because of the storage expense, it was uncertain if Priceless Moments could continue amid a fluctuating, widespread health crisis.

With the help of fellow organizer and volunteer Geralyn Aellis, Ms. Moffitt was able to virtually spread the word about the ongoing presence of Priceless Moments and to seek assistance from supporters to bring the organization to the next level.

By setting up a GoFundMe page, Priceless Moments encouraged support, including “funding for climate-controlled storage for the dresses ... stock replenishment of much needed larger and plus-size dresses, suits, and tuxedos; shoes and accessories; (and) development of a non-profit and other expenses,” as well as “community members and local partners willing to donate space for events, dress donations, suit/tuxedo donations, hair and makeup services, (and) limousine companies.”

“(Ms. Aellis) started what she calls Emily’s Closet, which is the GoFundMe, ... supporting Priceless Moments and trying to keep it afloat,” she said. “We’re basically just trying to get a little exposure (and) trying to find that support again because I would like to keep it alive for years to come.”

As her own senior prom was approaching this year, Ms. Moffitt, excited about attending, was surprised to discover that her dress did not fit. Once again using her “go-to” Facebook account, asking if there was anyone willing to donate, she received mass responses from friends, local businesses and other fellow volunteers.

With Mackenzie Lagarelli at Mia Rose Bridal Boutique providing a new gown, local seamstress Dana Oliphant altering her dress three days prior, Dana Vendrick styling her hair and friends doing her makeup, Ms. Moffitt had her own priceless moment — or what she called an “awkward” moment — as she has spent so much time making those same magical experiences for others without expecting anything in return.

“I’m so used to being the one who is giving ... that it was very weird to be receiving it,” she said. “It was very inspiring to see everyone come back together. It was weird to be the center of attention, ... but at the same time, it was pretty awesome, and I’m very thankful for everybody involved.”

Her mother, Dawn Moffitt, agreed, saying that, as her daughter had dedicated so much time and energy toward giving others an unforgettable night, she got to see the process of making that special occasion so memorable.

“For Emily, it was not only eye-opening; she (also) got to see the other side of the coin, which not a lot of people do,” Dawn Moffitt said. “She got to understand what these girls are going through when they come to her. It’s not an easy thing to say, ‘I can’t. I don’t have the money,’ or ‘This is not working,’ (and) it’s hard for people to ask for help. ... She gets it now a little more than she did a year ago.”

Upon graduating from First State Military Academy this month, Ms. Moffitt plans to take a gap semester and enroll in a program to prepare to go to college to obtain a degree in nursing, further fueling her passion to help others in need.

She also plans to continue expanding Priceless Moments alongside fellow volunteers and her self-described “co-pilot” Isabella Aellis, including advertising with the organization’s new logo, setting up community events and branching out into weddings and other special occasions in a post-COVID-19 environment.

As she begins the transition into the next phase of her life, Ms. Moffitt plans to continue going above and beyond at not only Priceless Moments but also throughout the surrounding community.

“It’s definitely ... been an enlightening experience for me because I don’t think a lot of teenagers around my age understand how good it feels when you make someone else happy,” she said. “My goal is to keep (Priceless Moments) alive ... and trying to get it all organized and get back out there into the community to let them know that we’re still there and that we plan on staying around as long as we possibly can.”

For more information on how to volunteer with Priceless Moments, reach out to emilysclosetpricelessmoments@gmail.com. To donate to Priceless Moments, visit here.