Cinderella Project Makes Prom Dreams Come True

What does Cinderella do when she needs a little help getting to the ball?

If that “ball” happens to be prom night at Land O’ Lakes or Sunlake high schools, she calls on the “fairy godmothers” behind the county’s Cinderella Project.

Now in its ninth year, the project is a countywide effort to provide girls who cannot afford fancy dresses access to them and the accessories that complete the ensembles at no charge.

This year’s prom dress and accessory giveaway for Pasco teen girls in need is set for March 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3104 Town Ave., Suite 106, in Trinity. Girls who need some assistance in the gussying up department can pick out their gowns during this event, according to the Pasco County Schools Facebook page. Girls must have a school ID to participate.

The effort to dress Pasco’s Cinderellas for the ball launched in 2005 when now-school board member Alison Crumbley and Laurie Weiss teamed up to spearhead the venture.

"With the help of a small and dedicated group of parent volunteers, we kicked it off and over a thousand girls have since been recipients of free prom attire," Crumbley said in a previous interview.

Help is Still Needed

Want to become an honorary “fairy godmother?” There’s still time!

Anyone is welcome to drop off new or gently used prom dresses for distribution to local girls. Donations of accessories, such as purses, shoes and costume jewelry are also accepted. Just bring the items to any Pasco County high school during normal school hours.

Cash donations are also accepted.

“Our goal is to be sure no young lady misses out on her prom because of a lack of funds,” Crumbley is quoted on the district’s Facebook page as saying.