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"But the need is immense," said Kuecks, a dynamo who pretty much shuts down her Prom Dresses 2011 tailoring shop, Vista Images, each prom season to revamp, restyle and refurbish used bridesmaid dresses -- yup, even the hideous ones -- and give them new life at high school proms from Chaska to Brainerd. For most of March and April she's devoted to ripping seams, crafting fabric flowers, raising necklines and gathering tulle as high school girls come to her Cocktail Dresses for fittings as late as 10 p.m. It's all done for free. "The girls go out there and they're like, 'I don't like this ribbon,' and she's, whoop! off with that and sewing on a new one," said Dorothy Clark-Miles, a counselor for the Chaska and Chanhassen high schools who works with Kuecks. "Then she throws all these purses at their feet, and jewelry. It's like Elegant Strapless Ball Gown Prom Dresses purpose in life. She's bound and determined to make their prom great." Several other projects in the Twin Cities provide girls with prom dresses for free, or at deeply discounted prices. But the dresses are as-is, and alterations can be pricey, especially on gowns with beads, brocades, bustiers Elegant Strapless Bridesmaid Dress - Right other embellishments. It's enough to make Kuecks a little crazy. "There are outrageous prices for dresses these days, but also for alterations at some places," she said. "Why are we ripping off young people? They're our future. I don't believe I'm leaving a lot of money on the table -- I'm a businesswoman and I need to survive -- but I just don't do that." Kuecks, 54, didn't imagine this becoming an annual event. Seven years ago, when her son was a junior at Chaska High School, she told him he was going to prom "and that I would pay for it. He just had to find the girl," Kuecks said.