Founded
in January 2008, The Cinderella Project is a 100% volunteer drive
non-profit organization. One of our most successful and effective
projects is our Annual Prom Dress Drive and Giveaway during which we
collect donated evening gowns and provide them to high school students who cannot otherwise afford them.
We strive to make the
prom a memorable experience for young women through the generous
donation of evening gowns. We assist young women in attending their
prom with style and confidence while at the same time instilling an
appreciation for community service and the importance of giving back.
The
main criteria for student participation is their eligibility for the
federal free or reduced-price lunch program. Students in East Baton
Rouge and neighboring parishes beyond are welcome to receive a free
dress and attend our Dress Giveaway events.
Our
effort to collect donations for the 2009 Dress Giveaway began in
September 2008, when donors dropped off dresses at any location of the YMCA of the Capital Area. Additional Dress Drive events were held around the community. As our official media sponsor, WBRZ Channel 2 helped to raise awareness about our Dress Drive through news coverage and promotional spots.
We hosted our second annual Dress Giveaway on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 at the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel. Nearly 2,000 dresses were on display in sizes ranging from 0 to 34.
Approximately
200 Cinderella Project volunteers were on hand to guide
students through our inventory and help them find the perfect dress.
Each student also received a gift bag filled with donated jewelry and
cosmetics from Macy's at the Mall of Louisiana.
More
than 700 students representing 41 high schools in 12 parishes of the
Capital Region received a free dress from The Cinderella Project
in 2009.
Wedding Dresses
In May 2009, The Cinderella Project teamed up with InRegister to add new and gently used wedding gowns to its donation inventory. The "Share the Love/Donate a Dress" program is part of InRegister's online Wedding Planner.
Wedding dresses can be donated year-round at our permanent dress drop-off location, Appletree Stroage, near Perkins Rowe or during any official Dress Drop-Off event.
2009-2010 Dress Drop-Off Events
For
the second year in a row, The Cinderella Project has partnered with the
YMCA of the Capital Region Area and WBRZ Channel 2 for its Fall 2009
Dress Drop-off event from Saturday, September 19 through Sunday,
September 27. A winter Dress Drop-Off event was held from Saturday, January 16 through Sunday, January 24, 2010. Nearly 2,000 dress donations were collected at the seven branches of the YMCA during these two events.
The 2010 Dress Giveaway
Approximately 1,650 young women from across the state received free prom dresses at the 2010 Dress Giveaway, which took place on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 at the A.C. Lewis branch of the YMCA in Baton Rouge.
Our Partners
IBERIABANK, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and WBRZ-Channel 2 are major sponsors of The Cinderella Project and we are very grateful for their generous support!
The Cinderella Project of Baton Rouge is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible. The success of our efforts is made possible by generous dress donations, dedicated volunteers and broad community support.