Cameron Harwood, a Rye High School senior, is helping children across Westchester and New York City take to the stage by collecting and donating more than 500 dance costumes, shoes, and practice outfits.
Harwood’s inspiration for the project was sparked by her own experiences in dance and understanding the true costs involved, and that not every family can afford them.
“Once I reached high school, I began to develop a better understanding of finance in general, but more importantly how costly being a competitive dancer is,” Harwood said. “The classes and competitions alone cost thousands of dollars, and dancewear, costumes, and shoes are just more expenses that pile up and are often out of your control. My main goal was to lessen the financial burden that inevitably comes with dance.”
So she started Dress Up Drive.
Harwood collects gently used or new costumes, shoes, and dance clothing, sorts them by size and style, and distributes them to organizations that serve children and teens in need. Recipients have included Gigi’s Playhouse NYC, Ballet and Beyond NYC, Bread of Life Food Pantry, and Westchester Ballet Company.
Starting in 2023, Harwood, who dances at Westchester Dance Academy in Mt. Kisco, used platforms like Instagram, her dance studio’s email list, and the popular community Facebook group Rye Moms to get the word out.
The response from the Rye community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s amazing to see how generous people can be,” Harwood said. “Every donation reminds me that this project is bigger than me — it’s really about helping the whole community.”
The initiative has even expanded beyond the stage.
“I have loved seeing Dress Up Drive expand past just dance and into supporting kids in general,” she said. “Some organizations I have worked with, such as Sharing Shelf Port Chester, have used the costumes to provide underserved kids with Halloween costumes. The possibilities are endless.”
Dress Up Drive’s connection with Gigi’s Playhouse NYC, an organization that offers activities and educational programs for people with Down syndrome, has had a particularly profound impact on Harwood.
“It was incredible to see the children’s faces light up when they tried on costumes for their fashion show,” she said. “Being part of that event made me realize just how much a simple outfit can bring confidence and joy.”
She also cites the local fashion show she organized as a community highlight.
“Seeing kids proudly model donated dancewear in front of their friends and families was unforgettable,” she said. “It reminded me that dance is not just about movement — it’s about self-expression and confidence.”
She hopes to continue developing Dress Up Drive, even after she goes off to college.
“I am so excited for the chance to grow the donations, work with more organizations, and help more dancers and kids in need,” she said.
She also has plans to continue the work after graduation. “I have an amazing network of younger dancers who I hope to pass Dress Up Drive on to,” she said.
For Harwood, dance has been “the most amazing physical and emotional outlet for me my entire life, and has provided me with a community of friends who are so dedicated to their craft. I hope Dress Up Drive supports dancers looking for the same thing.”
Ballet leotards for class and new tights are Harwood’s greatest need right now, as most donations tend to be costumes.
“Being able to provide kids with class and stage essentials gives their parents one less thing to worry about,” she said. “All the costs of being a dancer add up quickly, so donations of any kind are always appreciated.”
