Zengeler Cleaners adds partner for prom dress collection drive

For the past two decades, Zengeler Cleaners has proudly partnered with the Glass Slipper Project to help thousands of northern Illinois high school women experience the joy of prom.

Last spring, Zengeler Cleaners expanded its support to include a new partnership with Mothers Trust Foundation of Lake Forest. The Midwest's oldest and largest cleaning company recently announced they will once again support both organizations with this year's prom apparel collection drive.

"While Zengeler Cleaners has always enjoyed a wonderful, longtime partnership with the Glass Slipper Project, we are thrilled to add Mothers Foundation as a partner once again for the coming year," said Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners.

"We have long believed that the Glass Slipper Project's success would benefit students in the far North suburbs and Lake County. Our new partnership is the perfect complement to expand the reach of the Glass Slipper program and look forward to supporting both organizations in 2020."

Plans are already underway at Mothers Trust Foundation to build on the success of the MTF's first "Pop-Up Prom Shop" promotion in 2020.

According to Susan Suhling, executive director of the Lake-Forest based organization, "The 2019 Pop-Up Prom Shop was one of the most moving and inspirational events we've been privileged to host. We received tremendous feedback, took copious notes on how to improve where possible and, with help of our volunteers and partners, have already begun to set the stage for another successful Pop-Up Prom Shop next spring."

The 2020 dates are tentatively set for April 3, 4 and 5, 2020, at the College of Lake County.

The Glass Slipper Project was founded by women who recognized that many high school students can't afford the luxury of spending big dollars for prom, no matter how special that night might be.

The organization distributes the donated dresses and accessories free to students at "boutiques," where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer personal shopper. Dates and locations for the Glass Slipper Project boutique shopping days will be announced in early 2020.

Zengeler Cleaners provides several very important services for the dress collection drive. In addition to working with a number of North suburban high schools to solicit donations of "lovingly worn prom apparel" from local students, their stores also serve as collection points for donations from individuals and businesses.

Zengeler Cleaners then inspects, repairs as needed and cleans the donated items, all at no cost to MTF and GSP. This assures every student wearing a dress from the collection drive looks her best on this important evening.

For more information about Zengeler Cleaners and its support for the Glass Slipper Project, contact Tom Zengeler, president, at (847) 272-6550, ext. 14, or visit www.zengelercleaners.com.

Zengeler Cleaners' seven stores are in Northbrook, Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northfield, Winnetka, Long Grove and two stores in Libertyville.