Fri Sep 03 2010
Wearing a long, black prom dress, a teenage girl looked into the mirror, smiled and blushed.
“That’s definitely the one,” said the Cinderella’s Closet volunteer standing next to her in the gym at First United Methodist Church.
Cinderella’s Closet paired 71 low-income teenagers with free prom dresses, shoes and jewelry Saturday. The annual tradition can cost hundreds, a price tag some families just can’t afford.
“I guess amazing is the word for it – it all comes down to that smile,” said Amy Nance, coordinator of the Youth Services Center at Franklin County High School and one of the event’s organizers.
“We’ve had girls look in the mirror and burst into tears because they look so pretty, and these are girls who could not afford to go to prom otherwise.”
Nance and Betty Lawson, student support specialist for Western Hills High School and Bondurant Middle School, announced the effort last March.
Since then, the women have received more than 500 dresses from the community, dress shops and clothing designers. They purchased dozens of pairs of high heels at Shoe Carnival at a discount rate.
“How many thousands of dollars are in this room?” Nance said, looking at the rainbow-colored rows of dresses.
High school seniors from all three local high schools, Owen and Bullitt counties participated. To qualify, girls met income guidelines or faced special circumstances, like recent layoffs in the family, Nance said.
Next year they hope to give prom dresses to 200 girls.
“We didn’t turn anyone away,” she said, adding that about 10 more girls would receive dresses in the coming weeks.
More than 100 Frankfort residents gave their time to the effort, many as “fairy godmothers” helping girls choose dresses and accessories. The women zipped zippers and tied sashes, buckled bracelets and slipped shoes on the girls’ feet.
“I’m not picky,” said Johanna Cornish, as she stood between two racks of dresses Saturday.
She walked toward a dressing room with two “fairy godmothers” behind her, their arms filled with red, blue and peach taffeta.
Johanna stepped out from behind the curtain wearing a long, white dress with red flowers and a sash, and twirled in front of a mirror.
After trying on four more picks, she went back to the first.
“I just really like red and white,” she said. “Red is my favorite color.”
Sewing machines whirled down the hall, as volunteer seamstresses folded and tucked dresses until they fit perfectly. Others cooked food for the volunteers, who spent all day on their feet.
Volunteers came from First United Methodist Church, local schools and the community at large.
Beth Caffery, curator of collections at Liberty Hall, heard about Cinderella’s Closet through word of mouth and online. She spent the day working as a fairy godmother .
“It reminds me of what it was like looking for my own prom dress, and it’s fun to get to see these girls be a part of that,” she said.
“I think every girl deserves to go to prom and have the dress of her dreams.”
Caffery said she cried at least three times Saturday.
“I can’t even put it into words,” she said. “I just hope these girls leave here today knowing there are other people out there who really do care and want to see them enjoy their life and succeed.”
Dress, jewelry and handbag donations can be dropped off year round at First United Methodist Church, 211 Washington St. Dry cleaning is recommended, but not required.
Money will also be accepted and will go toward items that are donated less frequently, like plus-sized dresses.
Anyone interested in volunteering for next year’s event can contact Nance at amy.nance@franklin.kyschools.us or visit the Web site at www.CinderellasClosetUSA.org.
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