Glass Slipper Project 2019 Collection Now Underway at Zengeler Cleaners

All Zengeler stores are drop-off points for donations

Submitted by John Coxon

Zengeler Cleaners recently launched the company's 2019 collection drive for donations to the Glass Slipper Project. Glass Slipper Project is a volunteer organization that provides an opportunity for area high school women to experience their senior prom. Zengeler Cleaners' eight locations will serve as a drop-off points for donations as part of its 17th year partnering with Glass Slipper Project.

The expense of attending prom can put that event out of reach for many high school students. The cost of a dress, shoes and accessories alone can easily exceed several hundred dollars. Since 1999, Glass Slipper Project has helped tens of thousands of area high school women who couldn't otherwise afford those expenses enjoy their prom, made possible by the donations of lovingly-worn dresses and accessories from other Chicago area high school students. Additionally, donations received from other local organizations, businesses and even generous Zengeler customers have helped Glass Slipper Project expand the number of students they can assist with this worthy cause.

"The Glass Slipper Project is Zengeler Cleaners' largest community outreach program and it's also one of our favorite times of the year," said Tom Zengeler, president of the Midwest's oldest and largest cleaners. "Our goal is to collect at least 3,000 dresses every year and we've surpassed our goal every year for the past 10 years. Thanks to the continued support of area businesses, local schools and our customers, we're confident we'll exceed that number again in 2019. In fact, we're off to a great start and have already started to receive donations!"

While partnering with local schools generates most donations, Zengeler Cleaners' customers also contribute to the cause. In fact, some dresses are purchased and donated directly to the collection drive without ever being worn - some even with the price tags still on them. The combination of 6,342 dresses and hundreds of accessories, shoes and jewelry collected in 2018, had an estimated value in excess of $4.2 million, bringing the total number of dresses collected by the Zengeler team to an astonishing 56,752.

The annual collection drive culminates with two Saturday shopping opportunities, tentatively scheduled this year on March 30 and April 6. The items are distributed free of charge to high school seniors at Glass Slipper "boutiques," where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer "personal shopper," allowing each student plenty of time to "shop" for their perfect dress and accessories.

More information about the Glass Slipper Project is available at www.glassslipperproject.org.

For information about Zengeler Cleaners, contact Tom Zengeler, president, at (847) 272-6550, ext. 14, or visit www.zengelercleaners.com.

Zengeler Cleaners' stores are located in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northfield, Winnetka, Long Grove, with two in Libertyville and the company's newest store on Skokie Boulevard in Northbrook.