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Zengeler Cleaners Makes Prom Dreams Come True For 14th Year

It's prom season, and Zengeler Cleaners is giving needy Chicago-area high school girls a chance to attend their prom in style, collecting a record 5,287+ prom dresses this year, plus shoes, jewelry, handbags and other accessories for the Glass Slipper Project, a Chicago-based charity that gives prom gowns for free to students who cannot otherwise afford them. Many of these beautiful gowns originally sold for hundreds of dollars - and many Zengeler Cleaners customers purchase and donate the dresses.

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

The donations collected by the 159-year old family-owned and operated cleaners increases each year, with 2016 donations valued at approximately $1.5 million. Zengeler Cleaners donates their services to clean, press, and makes minor repairs to the dresses, and then packs their vans for delivery to the distribution location at Price School in Chicago. Dresses and accessories are then distributed free of charge to students at Glass Slipper "Boutiques," where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer "personal shopper" as she shops for her prom ensemble.

Since 1999, the program has helped 30,000+ high school women to find their perfect prom dress. In 14 years, Zengeler Cleaners has collected 35,000+ dresses at its eight locations, the most of any collection point involved in the drive. Local high school students, customers, and area businesses are always proud to participate in the drive.

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

For more information about Zengeler Cleaners, visit www.zengelercleaners.com. Zengeler stores are located in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northfield, Winnetka, Long Grove, two Libertyville stores and company headquarters in Northbrook.

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