Suburban cleaners help make prom dreams come true

Zengeler Cleaners has been holding a prom dress collection for the last 15 years, but recently company President Tom Zengeler has noticed a "new" trend - people are buying dresses to donate.

"That seems to be more common now than it was in the past," said Zengeler, noting that the collections began as a way to recycle old dresses. "They see a deal at Macy's or a department store and they'll buy it and they'll bring it in here to donate."

Zengeler's, which has eight locations, including two in Libertyville, has collected 5,863 dresses so far this year and more are coming in each day.

"That's the surprising thing - each year it keeps growing," Zengeler said. "You always wonder where all the dresses are coming from."

The dresses and accessories are collected on behalf of the Glass Slipper Project, which distributes them high school girls who otherwise might not be able to afford prom.

Dresses will be available at a boutique set up at Florence B. Price Elementary School on Chicago's South Side over the next two weekends.

"It's nice to see so many communities helping other communities," Zengeler said.