What the hell is the Cinderella Project? So glad you asked 🙂

The Cinderella Project was started 7 years ago under the guidance of Lacey Shelton (my sister and then Assistant Director of AmeriCorps) and her co-worker Cheryl Bryant (Administrative Assistant). It began as a group project among the team members as a way to make prom more accessible to all girls, no matter their family’s financial standing.

In its first year the event received over 100 dresses in donations for girls to choose from, and 40 girls left with dresses. Since then, the Cinderella Project has grown dramatically. They provide not only dresses, but shoes, jewelry, purses, onsite alterations, and even makeup consultations, all of which are completely free to the girls.

Just an aside here, and an opportunity to gloat. This event would not be what it is today with the incredible hard work that my sister put in during her stint at AmeriCorps or the hard work that Cheryl continues to pour into this event. These ladies are 2 of the most badass and hardworking individuals you will ever come across. Consider yourself lucky if you know either one of them.

Now back to the topic at hand 😉 The ability for Cinderella Project to provide all of these things at no cost is 100% dependent upon the generosity of the community, which is why I am writing today.

I know not all of you are located in my hometown of Lafayette, LA. but I have a strong feeling that there is a similar project located near wherever you are located. Take some time and think about what you could possibly do to help such an amazing event.

Prom was a night I looked forward to from the time I was a little girl. I shopped with my sister for her prom dresses and couldn’t wait until the time when I got to get dressed up and take the day primping for the occasion. Every girl deserves that opportunity to feel like a princess for an evening. Think about what you could do to help that dream come true for so many girls. It could be a donation of your time to help setup, or clean out jewelry or shoes you no longer wear, or a formal dress that is still in style but collecting dust in your closet. These things can be put to good use by someone else.

The Cinderella Project of Lafayette is currently taking donations (shoes, purses, jewelry, dresses, hair accessories, shawls, etc.) at their AmeriCorps office (off of Coliseum Dr. behind the Ira Nelson Horitculture Center) and all Deano’s locations.

The event itself will be held March 7, 2015 from 9 a.m.-3p.m at Blackham Coliseum. I recommend getting there early if you want to go, the line is usually wrapped around the building. For any other questions you may have I recommend checking out their facebook page.

I strongly urge you to find a way to help this organization out. And it could be as easy as cleaning out your closet 🙂