NORTHBROOK, Ill. — Zengeler Cleaners, in conjunction with the Mothers Trust Foundation, has launched its annual prom dress collection drive for high school girls who might otherwise have to miss this rite of passage because of the high costs that can be involved in clothing and accessories.
The annual formal wear giveaway will be held the weekend of April 12 to 14 at the University Center of Lake County (UCLC) in Grayslake.
“Zengeler Cleaners is excited to once again support this important event,” said Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners. “Prom is one of those activities students remember for many years beyond high school. Mothers Trust, the University Center and Zengeler Cleaners want to ensure that the cost of a prom dress isn’t the reason someone cannot attend. Thanks to generous donations of apparel from former students and many of our wonderful customers, we’ll be able to eliminate that obstacle for thousands of students. We recently contacted school districts in northern Illinois who have so generously supported this event in previous years so they can schedule their dress collection drives in February and March of 2024.”
Zengeler Cleaners has been spearheading the dress collection drive since 2003, receiving more than 74,000 donated dresses, as well as thousands of pairs of shoes, jewelry and other accessories. Students in need of a dress are invited to “shop” at the distribution events each spring, where they can find their dream outfits. The shopping events are held at the University Center of Lake County, all coordinated by Mothers Trust Foundation.
An important aspect of the partnership, the company states, is the educational component, further supported by both UCLC and the College of Lake County (CLC). In addition to their prom apparel, students also receive information about continuing education opportunities at CLC and UCLC, including career path guidance and the availability of financial assistance.
Zengeler Cleaners provides several important services for the collection drive, it says. In addition to working with area high schools to solicit donations of apparel from students, their stores also serve as collection points for donations from individuals and businesses. Zengeler Cleaners then inspects, repairs as needed and cleans all donated items at no cost to MTF or students, ensuring everyone looks their best on their special evening. Thanks to the generous contributions of so many individuals and businesses, Zengeler Cleaners is also able to support a number of other prom dress distribution events throughout northern Illinois.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].
