NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Zengeler Cleaners, in a new partnership with Mothers Trust Foundation (MTF), recently hosted a two-day, no-cost prom donation event called the Pop-Up Prom Shoppe, which was open to any Lake County, Illinois, student with a high school ID, it notes.
According to Susan Suhling, executive director of MTF, “Our first Pop-Up Prom Shoppe weekend was a huge success. We were able to help approximately 500 students with prom apparel for this year.
“We are especially happy to see students from every high school in Lake County as well as home schooled students attend this year’s event.”
Suhling relates that, “Some students had special needs and our volunteers were so caring and helpful. Thanks to the amazing support of the College of Lake County and over 300 of our fabulous volunteers, we were able to provide all the students who attended a very special county-wide community pre-prom event.”
MTF is a Lake Forest-based organization that has provided immediate assistance to children throughout Lake County since 1998.
Most of the dresses collected by Zengeler Cleaners come from high school students in Lake and northern Cook Counties, the cleaners notes, while others are donated by individuals who often purchase brand new dresses and donate them to the annual collection drive.
The result: Thousands of students for whom prom was out of reach because of the expense now have an opportunity to enjoy a lifetime of memories.
Suhling adds: “We have already begun making plans for 2020 and expect an even bigger turnout next year and increasing the number of dressing rooms to make room for more students.”
According to its website, MTF writes that it has, “Provided immediate assistance to children in Lake County since 1998. Barbara Monsor founded the organization at a youthful 75 years of age following an 18-year career at Youth Guidance in Chicago, where she witnessed firsthand how a seemingly small amount of assistance might change a challenging situation for a child.
“Hers was a simple idea — connect people in desperate situations with those who want to provide assistance where it will truly make a difference.”
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