Zengeler Cleaners, The Glass Slipper Project Tie The Knot For 2012

Successful partnership renewed for 10th consecutive year

Wilmette, IL, October 26, 2011:  Zengeler Cleaners and The Glass Slipper Project recently announced that they will join hands for the 10th consecutive year.  Over the past several years, The Glass Slipper Project (GSP) has helped tens of thousands of high school women experience the joy of prom, thanks to the donation of thousands of lovingly worn prom dresses and accessories.  Zengeler Cleaners has served as a collection point for GSP donations at all eight (8) of its operations in Lake and Cook Counties. 

For most of the last ten years, several area high schools and local businesses have teamed up with Zengeler Cleaners, greatly expanding the reach of this worthy cause.  “Zengeler Cleaners is proud to join hands with local schools and businesses in support of the Glass Slipper Project,” said Tom Zengeler, President of Illinois’ oldest cleaners.  “We have a goal to collect more than 3,000 dresses this year, starting with the fall drive and leading up to the conclusion of the collection effort at the end of March.  With the growing support of area businesses as well as many local schools, we’re confident we can meet this goal.”

If last year’s drive was any indication, the goal is very achievable.  Zengeler Cleaners and its partners were able to collect an all-time high of more than 3,400 new and gently-used prom dresses, along with accessories worth more than $1.6 Million.  Donations such as these have allowed the Glass Slipper Project to help nearly 23,000 high school women since 1999.

Accessories have become a very popular component of the Glass Slipper experience.  It all leads up to the series of Saturday shopping opportunities, typically held each Spring in April, allowing students plenty of time to shop for their own prom dresses.   While the exact location for the annual “shopping days” is different each year, GSP organizers are confident another new group of needy students will find their way and attend the 2012 event. 

The Glass Slipper Project was founded by women who recognized that many high school women simply cannot afford the luxury of spending big dollars for prom, no matter how special that night may be.   The organization distributes the formal dresses and accessories free of charge to these students at Glass Slipper "boutiques," where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer "personal shopper."

More information about The Glass Slipper Project is available at www.glassslipperproject.org.  For more information about Zengeler Cleaners, please contact Tom Zengeler, President, at (847) 272-6550, ext. 14, or visit Zengeler Cleaners’ website at www.zengelercleaners.com.  Zengeler Cleaners’ stores are located in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northfield, Winnetka,, two Libertyville stores, the company’s headquarters store in Northbrook and the newest Zengeler Cleaners, located in Long Grove, IL.