Zengeler Cleaners makes prom dreams come true for 13th year

Zengeler Cleaners is once again giving less fortunate Chicago-area high school girls a chance to go to prom, collecting a record number of nearly 5,000 prom dresses, plus shoes, jewelry, handbags and other accessories for the Glass Slipper Project, a Chicago-based charity that gives prom gowns free to students who cannot otherwise afford them.

Many of these gowns originally sold for hundreds of dollars, and many Zengeler Cleaners customers purchase and donate new dresses, as well.

The donations collected by the 158-year-old family-owned and operated cleaners increases each year, with 2015 donations valued at approximately $1.5 million.

"So many young women now have the special opportunity to enjoy their prom this year, thanks to those who made these generous donations," said Tom Zengeler, president, Zengeler Cleaners. "The generosity of students donating their own dresses, as well as total strangers who purchased and donated new dresses, is awe-inspiring, and truly amazing."

Zengeler Cleaners cleans, presses and makes minor repairs to the dresses, and then packs their vans for delivery to the distribution location - all services provided at no charge. The formal dresses and accessories are then distributed free to students at Glass Slipper "boutiques," where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer "personal shopper."

Since 1999, nearly 30,000 high school women have been helped to find their perfect prom dress. In 13 years, Zengeler Cleaners has collected more than 34,000 dresses, the most of any collection point involved in the drive.

In the last few months, students at area high schools, along with Zengeler customers and several other local businesses, drop off dresses and accessories at each of eight Zengeler Cleaners stores. Some dresses are new, with tags still attached.

"We are thrilled that Zengeler Cleaners continues to help deserving students enjoy their prom each year," says Carol Levin, public relations/marketing director of the GLMV Chamber of Commerce, of which Zengeler is a longtime member.

For more information about the Glass Slipper Project, visit www.glassslipperproject.org.

For more information about Zengeler Cleaners, call (847) 272-6550 or visit www.zengelercleaners.com. Zengeler Cleaners' stores are in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northfield, Winnetka, Long Grove, two Libertyville stores and Northbrook.

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