Project makes dream come true for 'cinderellas'

With school proms approaching quickly, there will be a bevy of high schoolers looking for that perfect dress for the special evening.

Several local organizations are teaming up to make prom dreams come true for those students.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Americorps, Deano's Pizza, Cabelo Hair Studio and Bevo's Lafayette are collecting prom dresses, shoes and accessories for the 9th Annual Cinderella Project; this project provides dresses to local high school girls for free, said Brittany Counts, event coordinator.

The event is scheduled for March 19 at the Blacham Coliseum from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. UL Lafayette Americorps began its partnership with the Cinderella Project in 2011. With chapters in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, New Orleans and Monroe, the Cinderella project has distributed about 4,000 prom dresses to students at 84 high schools in 18 parishes throughout the state.

picture: online formal dresses

Donations of new or barely used dresses can be dropped off at Deano's Pizza, 2312 Kaliste Saloom Road or 305 Bertrand Drive in Lafayette; the UL Lafayette Americorps office, 206 Coliseum Road; Cabelo Hair Studio, 1000 Coolidge St.; and Both Bevo's locations, 715 Bertrand Drive or 2207 Kaliste Saloom Road.

The only thing needed is a valid school ID and the students are free to shop for the perfect dress along with shoes and accessories. People will be available to provide minor on-site alterations so students can leave with a dress in ready to wear condition. All dresses are given on a first-come first-serve basis.

Dress donations will be accepted at the locations through February. The donation guidelines are as follows, according to the project's website:

Dresses must be age appropriate and suitable for a high school student to wear to a spring formal

Dresses must be in style and in good condition

Dresses must be prom dresses, formal gowns, or fancy party dresses (long or short)

We would ask dresses are on hangers and dry cleaned

Garments that will not be accepted are dresses for mother-of-the-bride ensembles, those made with velvet, two-piece bridesmaids dresses, garments that are faded, torn or stained and tuxedos or men's clothes.