Keep donating those old prom dresses

With Gov. JB Pritzker's recent announcement transitioning all Illinois schools to e-learning for the remainder of the current school year, high schools and their students are coming to terms with losing many of their traditions.

Among the programs affected were the annual prom dress distribution events for the Glass Slipper Project and Mothers Trust Foundation, all of which have been canceled.

Zengeler Cleaners has been the leading drop-off point for donations at those events. The dry cleaner has pledged to continue the collection drive for this year, after which they will store all donated items safely and securely for use next prom season.

"With so many proms already canceled this year, there will be far fewer items available for donation next spring," said Tom Zengeler, president of the family-owned company.

"That's why it is so important for us to continue our collection drive and store donations, so we can meet the needs of next year's students."

All eight Zengeler Cleaners stores will continue accepting prom dress donations for the next several weeks, as well as shoes, purses, jewelry and other formal wear accessories. All items will then be inspected, repaired as needed, cleaned and professionally stored for next year.

More information about Glass Slipper Project is available at glasslipperproject.org. For details about Mothers Trust Foundation, visit motherstrustfoundation.org.

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

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