From the Aberdeen Lioness Lions Club:
For Cinderella, it was a royal ball, but for today’s high school girls, the prom is often the event of a lifetime. For both, the problem is not having a suitable dress for the event, and no money to buy one. Cinderella gave up on attending the ball because of that reason, and many young ladies today must do the same. In the fairy tale, a fairy godmother stepped into Cinderella’s life and saved the evening by providing a gorgeous gown and spectacular glass slippers so she could attend the ball and dazzle the prince. In Aberdeen Maryland, for the past six years, some modern day “fairy godmothers” known as the Aberdeen Lioness Lions Club are helping high school girls in very much the same way. They aren’t creating the gowns with magic, but they are donating their time and talents to provide free dresses and accessories for the girls in over 30 high schools across the state. Their mission is to “Turn Dresses into Dreams” by providing an irreplaceable experience, to make sure the girls are able to attend prom.
Many families, like those in towns across the country, have been hard hit by job loss and lower incomes during the past few years. They have little money left for “extras” like prom gowns, which sell for upwards of $200 or more. In Aberdeen, a program named The Aberdeen Lioness Lions Club’s Cinderella’s Closet was created six years ago in response to the need, and it has proven to be very successful and growing each year. This wonderful group of ladies have been offering this service for the past six years, with the help of donations from families and businesses. The group collects new and gently used dresses across the state from both residents and formal gown and bridal stores. The Holiday Inn Express in Aberdeen has graciously donated their location for their “showroom.” The starry-eyed girls will be able to shop for 4 hours as the “fairy godmothers” help them choose the perfect dress for their dream evening. Total cost to the student? Nothing.
Sandy Pierce, a member of the club stated, “There’s nothing like seeing the faces of the girls trying on dresses, it is very rewarding for both the girls, the moms and the Lioness Lions club members as well.” “Many moms and grandmothers come to the give-away events with the girls. They consistently tell us how much they appreciate what we do for the girls.”
“We are hoping they will always remember this special event and do the same someday for others.” “We do many civic projects throughout the year and this is one of my favorites. I know prom is an important time for these girls and there are so many girls who can’t go to prom because they can’t afford a gown,” said Lion Leslie Zeigler. “Collecting these gowns and seeing the smiles on the moms’ faces and the girls’ faces when we give these gowns out for free…it’s just a wonderful feeling.”
The Aberdeen Lioness Lions Club has collected over 500 new and gently used gowns and formal dresses for the Cinderella’s Closet Give-Away Events on Saturday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd, 2016. Last year, over 300 gowns were given away making many ladies very happy!
Calling all high school girls – Come pick out a flawless dress at the Holiday Inn Express, located behind the Olive Tree at 1007 Beards Hill Road in Aberdeen, MD, on Saturday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd, 2016, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Gowns of all sizes and colors are available free of charge to any high school student in any County. To receive a gown, you must present a valid high school student ID. They will also be giving away Prom related door prizes!!
If you are interested in donating a dress, the following locations in Harford County are currently accepting donations: Amanda’s Florist in Havre de Grace, Heart to Heart Hair Studio in Aberdeen, K&B Bridal in Bel Air, Happy Hair and Nails in Elkton, and the Hair Cuttery, Harford Mall, in Bel Air.
To learn more about this event, call Sandy Pierce, 443-876-4472, Barbara Mortus, 410-272-2655 or visit their Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/aberdeenlionesslions
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