First Presbyterian's Cinderella Shop opens Friday, offers free prom dresses, accessories for local youth
Church has conducted community ministry for more than 20 years
It is spring and prom season, and in that spirit, First Presbyterian Church will open its Cinderella Shop soon for young ladies who might need assistance with getting a dress for the big night.
For more than 20 years, at about this same time, the downtown church on West Calhoun Street has operated the community ministry of transforming its youth building into a "little dress boutique," and coordinator Ashley Blum spoke recently on the process and this year's hours of operation.
First Presbyterian accepts donations year 'round from the community of new and gently used prom dresses, shoes, jewelry and evening handbags for the Cinderella Shop and then helps to formally dress young ladies for prom night through the project.
The Cinderella Shop's hours this year begin Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Next week, the shop will be open again for three days - Thursday, March 21, 4 to 7 p.m.; Friday, March 22, 4 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The youth building at the church is the white building in the back of the church parking lot.
A wide variety of styles and sizes will be available for the young ladies, Blum added, and help will be provided.
"We will have volunteers here to dress the young ladies from head to toe and get them ready for their prom," she said. "All they need to do is come to the building during those hours. We dress them, send them and wish them a good prom."
Through the ministry project, nothing is asked of the young ladies, she added.
"We kind of make as much like a store as we can, but it is all free," Blum said. "It's all community given, and we give it back to the community in support of our schools."
WANT TO GO TO THE CINDERELLA SHOP?
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, West Youth Building (the white building in the back parking lot with the screened porch), 9 W. Calhoun St., Sumter
DATES / TIMES: Friday, March 15, 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, March 17, 2 to 5 p.m.; Thursday, March 21, 4 to 7 p.m.; Friday, March 22, 4 to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.