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Used prom dresses get to dazzle again

A nonprofit parents group wants to recycle expensive clothing that most teens buy for that one special occasion.

By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published February 18, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pink taffeta and red satin. Crinoline ruffles and brilliant sequins.

They are the markings of dresses you wore only once. Dresses you spent a fortune on for one night, one wedding, one prom, their satiny spaghetti straps ever-after condemned to dangle from hangers at the dark end of your closet, unused, unnoticed and sometimes completely unliked.

Laurie Weiss and the nonprofit Pasco Parents for Quality Schools and Community are on a mission to put an end to the forgotten and lonely prom dress.

The Cinderella Project, launched this week in west Pasco County, is seeking gently used or new formals in good condition to adorn high school girls whose families can't afford the often-hefty price tag, often ranging from $80 to $400, that accompanies the American tradition that is prom.

"We're all looking in our closets," said Amye Cox, co-chair of the parent group.

Modeled after a similar program in Pinellas County, the Cinderella Project aims to reach out to qualifying west Pasco teenagers preparing for proms this April and May. Cox said the group hopes to expand to the central and eastern parts of the county in time for prom 2006.

"I think it's just a great idea," said Weiss, mother of three daughters ages 14, 18 and 20.

After coordinating more than her share of prom outfits for her girls, Weiss said she was happy to respond when her fellow members of Pasco Parents for Quality Schools and Community asked her to help spearhead the service project.

The idea was promoted in part by new School Board member Kathryn Starkey when she was on the campaign trail last summer. After elected, she approached the parent group to see if it might be interested in taking up the cause.

The volunteers have about 40 donated dresses to date - 27 of which came to them via the former organizers of the Pinellas project. The day after Laurie Weiss, Kathryn Starkey and others met with the Pinellas organizers for ideas, a donated box of brand new dresses from a bridal shop in Texas arrived unsolicited at the former Pinellas headquarters. The Pinellas coordinators passed them on to Pasco.

"I have bought my share of prom dresses," Weiss said. "They're so expensive. You wear them once and never look at them again."

The volunteers have about 40 donated dresses to date - 27 of which came to them via the former organizers of the Pinellas project. The day after Weiss, Starkey and others met with the Pinellas organizers for ideas, a donated box of brand new dresses from a bridal shop in Texas arrived unsolicited at the former Pinellas headquarters. The Pinellas coordinators passed them on to Pasco.

Weiss and others see the happenstance as nothing less than a sign that they're on to something.

"Things are just falling into place with this," Weiss said Thursday after hanging up the phone with a representative from Dillard's who agreed to donate a couple of clothes racks for the cause.

Besides the dresses, the group is seeking prom accessories such as shoes, purses and costume jewelry. It currently is looking for a permanent place to store the donated goods and is planning two Saturday boutique events when the teens can come pick out and try on their ensembles, though the dates haven't yet been set.

Additional clothes racks, mirrors and tailoring services also are being sought to help make the boutique a treat for the young women.

The parent group is working with the school district to determine how to identify qualifying teens. And maybe somewhere down the line, Cox said, the group might also open its arms to the other gender. Perhaps they'll call it Project Prince Charming.

Donate prom-style dresses, shoes, purses or costume jewelry at any of the following locations:

RIVER RIDGE HIGH, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey

RIDGEWOOD HIGH, 7650 Orchid Lake Road, New Port Richey

HUDSON HIGH, 14410 Cobra Way, Hudson

GULF HIGH, 5355 School Road, New Port Richey

MITCHELL HIGH, 2323 Little Road, New Port Richey

RICHARD MILBURN ACADEMY, 7545 Little Road, New Port Richey

The group also is seeking donated tailoring services, clothes racks and mirrors. For more information about the Cinderella Project, call (813) 268-4440 and leave a message.

[Last modified February 18, 2005, 00:14:17]