What girl doesn't dream about attending her high school prom looking like a princess? Massapequa merchants Joel Sparber, of Sandy's Shoes, and Tony Micari, of Bridal Reflections, are helping to make that dream a reality for girls from less affluent communities on Long Island.

The Long Island Volunteer Center, a nonprofit organization created in 1993 "to improve the quality of life of all Long Islanders" will be collecting new and gently used prom dresses, bridesmaid's dresses, and accessories, including shoes and evening bags, for the Eighth Annual Prom Boutique. All dresses and accessories will then be distributed free of charge for girls of families across Long Island who cannot easily absorb the expense of a new gown for their prom, Sweet Sixteen, or graduation event.

Micari, who has owned and operated his Massapequa business for 30 years, has donated an average of 500 dresses to the Prom Boutique since its inception, and plans to do the same this year. He also donates dresses to the Lexington School for the Deaf in Manhattan, and other organizations. "Instead of using our excess merchandise for fabric or selling it for jobbers at giveaway prices, we are happy to be able to give something back to the community instead," Micari explained.

Sparber donated over 160 pairs of shoes last year, and plans to donate at least 100 more this year. "The shoes are perfectly good leftovers from when I clear out my stock," he explained. "We do a pretty decent business here, and it makes me feel very good to be able to give."

The gowns and accessories will be distributed at events held in Roosevelt, Lake Ronkonkoma, and Hempstead in April and May 2002. Minor alterations at no charge will be done on-site by volunteer seamstresses. Over 500 girls benefited from the 2001 program from 30 different schools and organizations across Long Island.

"A young lady could literally walk into the Prom Center and, in one day, walk out outfitted from head to toe at a savings of possibly $300 to $500," Micari said. He noted that some of his seamstresses are getting in on the action this year by volunteering their services at the boutique.

"I think it's a real win-win situation for everybody."

This year's Prom Boutique is supported by Newsday in cooperation with project originator, the Junior League of Long Island. For more information call 564-5482.

Collection date and sites to make donations:

Date: April 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sites: Garden City Stitches, 735 Franklin Ave., Garden City

Junior League of Long Island, 1395 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn

LI Volunteer Center Branch Office, 115 South St., Oyster Bay

Scheduled Prom Boutique distribution events:

Date: April 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Site: Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, 196 West Centennial Ave., Roosevelt

Date: April 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Site: Sachem High School South, 51 School St., Lake Ronkonkoma

Date: May 4, noon to 3 p.m.

Site: Hagedorn Family Resource Center, 120 Greenwich St., Hempstead