- December 4, 2025
Spruce Creek High School sophomore Jaycee Alley was shopping for her homecoming dress with her stepmother a couple weeks ago when she found "the perfect one."
They spent the rest of the day picking out shoes and accessories for the dance, celebrating a successful shopping spree with a dinner at Olive Garden. That's where Jaycee mentioned that she thought it was sad that other girls may not get the same experience.
"I feel like no girl should have to miss out on that," Jaycee said.
About 18 hours later, The Dress Loop's first dress drive was born. To be held at Mainland High School from 12-3 p.m.on Sunday, Sept. 7, the dress drive is a Volusia County-wide style swap where local high schoolers are invited to find their perfect homecoming dress — at no cost to them. The dress drive has been made possible thanks to about 15 sponsorships by local businesses and dress donations from the community.
It's cool to see how many people wanted to help out ... You get caught up in the world where everybody's like, 'It's hard to see the good,' but now it's easy to see the good in a situation like this." — JAYCEE ALLEY
Jaycee and her stepmom, Caley Alley, have raised over $2,000 so far and collected over 200 dresses, the majority of which are either new with tags, or are in like-new condition. Donations are still sought for short, cocktail style dresses.
Attendees — who must have a current school ID to enter — can also "shop" for accessories and shoes.
Caley said she wasn't surprised that Jaycee thought of helping other girls for homecoming.
"Jaycee's always had a really big heart and she's already a natural born leader," Caley said. "Her having that thought comes natural for her and she's always in her community wondering how we can give back. ... She's always aware — she's got an old soul in that sense."
Caley, a wedding planner, said Jaycee has been helping her with events since she was 9 years old. In addition to being on the cross country and track team at Spruce Creek, Jaycee is also part of the finance academy and volunteers with the Salty Church children's ministry in New Smyrna Beach. Recently, she also volunteered with the Oceans of Hope Foundation, a program that makes surfing accessible to people with physical disabilities.
Jaycee also started a nonprofit with her dad called the JC & Me Foundation to find ways to give back to the community — beyond dresses. The name is inspired by the initials of her dad and stepmom, which pronounced together sound like her first name, as well as her connection with her faith.
"What drives me a lot is definitely my relationship with Christ," Jaycee said.
Seeing the dress drive come together so quickly has been neat to show Jaycee how a small thought can bring people together, Caley said.
The morning after their homecoming shopping spree, Caley started calling schools and asking them if they were interested in taking part in the dress drive. Within two minutes of being on the phone with Mainland's Activities Director Jill Rogers, Caley had a host for the event.
"She was like, 'We'll host it,'" Caley said. "Her excitement just matched our own."
After Caley and Jaycee posted the dress drive idea on social media, local business owners took notice. Mane Beauty Lounge in South Daytona is donating up to five free hair and makeup sessions per school, with winners to be selected at a drawing during the event. Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse are sponsoring free dinners for homecoming night, and iRock Your Party will host a live DJ and a photo booth station at the dress drive.
"Definitely JC's vision and then the community effort kind of put the bow on it, so it's been really cool," Caley said.
It's crazy how fast the event came together, Jaycee said.
"It's cool to see how many people wanted to help out," she said. "... You get caught up in the world where everybody's like, 'It's hard to see the good,' but now it's easy to see the good in a situation like this."
The monetary donations for the drive have also helped Caley and Jaycee purchase new dresses to ensure they have inventory in different colors, styles and sizes.
Schools have accepted dress donations in the past, Caley said, but it lacks the shopping experience. Students typically just go to the office to pick one up.
"We want to give them, not just the dress, but we want to give them the experience," Caley said.
The dress drive is for everybody, Jaycee said. Plus, it's earth-friendly.
And while finding your perfect homecoming dress is fun, Jayce added, it's also a relief.
"Once I found one that fit me nice and I liked he color, I just felt confident," she said. "I want girls to feel that same bit of confidence."
