Fairy godmothers are no longer necessary for young girls to be able to attend the ball in the nicest of gowns. Edon High School’s Cinderella Project has found a way for girls and their parents to find beautiful affordable dresses for proms, homecomings, and other events while at the same time raising money for Cancer Assistance of Williams County.
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Every year slightly used, and sometimes new, dresses are donated from students in every school in Williams County as well as students from Fayette, Fairview, and Four County, and occasionally local businesses. These dresses are then sold for $10 to local girls as well as girls traveling from out of state who are looking for something both elegant and affordable to wear to prom. With store bought dresses sometimes costing hundreds of dollars, it’s no wonder that both students and parents are appreciative of the deals offered through the Cinderella Project. “The project is great – especially for those with more than one daughter,” commented Danyel Wortkoetter of Edon. Cheri Lemmon, also of Edon, also spoke highly of the Cinderella Project, noting that “It’s a win-win situation. The girls get nice dresses, parents save money, and Cancer Assistance of Williams County gets help as well.”
This year the Cinderella Project was held in Edon’s band room on Saturday, March 16 and was a resounding success. The advisor of the effort, Pam Rupp, told that she had carried over 150 dresses from last year, which gave the Project a total of 323 dresses available for purchase this year. The great selection, however, dwindles fast as the event is usually packed by girls and parents searching for “just the right” dress as soon as the doors open. Rupp noted that the room is packed upon opening but that by 1:00 the pace has slowed way down.
This year’s event marked the ninth annual Cinderella Project sale. The project was originally started in 2005 by Robin Spangler and the monies earned went to the Make-a-Wish Foundation that year. Sadly, Spangler died of cancer before the second event could take place. Friend and co-creator of the project, Pam Rupp, has carried on the project and now donates the proceeds to Cancer Assistance of Williams County in honor of Spangler and Rupp’s own first husband whom also passed as a result of cancer.
While Rupp co-advises the project with Annette Peckham, they are both quick to point out that the event is actually completely organized and ran by senior student volunteers. While these students receive community service credit hours, many do it simply because they want to help others and are grateful for the support the Cinderella Project has received. Senior volunteers Desiree Howard and Sabrina Brown both commented that there was a great turn-out this year and they appreciate the support and the girls coming out to buy dresses where the proceeds will go to a great cause.
Those wishing to donate dresses for next year’s Cinderella Project can contact Pam Rupp or Annette Peckham at Edon Northwest Local Schools.
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