Cinderella Project in Sumter offers free prom dresses for those who can't afford it

Program offsets high costs of ensembles

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Prom time is almost here, and girls and their families are already looking for prom dresses. A local group is ready to assist those who can't afford to buy the often elaborate and expensive outfits.

This month marks the 20th year for the Cinderella Project, a program that provides prom dresses to local high school girls whose parents cannot afford the increasingly high costs. The Sumter project has been based at First Presbyterian Church since it was started by former member Laura Moushey, an alumna of Meredith College, where it all began. For the past six years, Anna Moorman and Ashley Blum have been working together to run the project with the help of the women of the church.

It can cost hundreds of dollars to buy a prom outfit, Blum noted, since the ensemble usually includes dress, shoes and accessories. She said the program has attracted more and more girls each year, "shopping" for a nice outfit to wear to their schools' proms.

"Last year, we had about 85 come to the shop to pick out and try on dresses and shoes," Blum said. "And everything is donated by community members."

For that reason, the ensembles don't cost the girls or their parents anything, she said. "We have dresses of all sizes, but we need more of the larger sizes and different styles."

The clothes, shoes and other accessories donated should be in good condition. The dresses already in the shop are current styles and have been steamed so they look new. Blum said those wishing to donate items can drop them off at the First Presbyterian Church office daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Any local high school girl can come to the shop and pick out a dress, evening purse, shoes and jewelry beginning Friday, March 20. Hundreds of girls have done just that since the local program began in 2002. Parents, teachers and friends can accompany them to the Cinderella Shop located in the church's West Youth Building, the white building with the screened porch in the back parking lot of First Presbyterian Church, 9 W. Calhoun St., on the northwest corner of North Main and Calhoun streets.

Blum said the dresses will be organized by color on the racks in the shop.

The Cinderella Shop will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 24; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21; and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22. No appointment is needed, so the girls can drop in at any time during those hours. Volunteers will be on hand to assist them as needed.

"We want the girls to know their community cares about them," Blum said, adding, "They are not required to bring back the outfits."

For more information, contact Blum at doodlebugblum@yahoo.com or (803) 607-9039; or Moorman at afmoorman@yahoo.com or (803) 446-9408.