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Community Corner

Glass Slipper Project 2012 Collection Now Underway At Zengeler Cleaners

All eight Zengeler locations serving as drop-off point for dress drive

Libertyville, IL, January 17, 2012:  It’s ON:  the 2012 collection drive for the Glass Slipper Project!  The Glass Slipper Project (GSP) is an all-volunteer organization that provides an opportunity for area high school women to experience the joy of prom at their schools.  Zengeler Cleaners, with eight (8) stores located throughout Lake and Northern Cook Counties, will serve as a drop-off point for donations, marking the 10th consecutive year of the partnership between Zengeler and GSP.

Over the past several years, GSP has helped tens of thousands of high school women enjoy their prom, made possible by the donations of thousands of lovingly-worn prom dresses and accessories.  Thanks to the ongoing support from Zengeler Cleaners, area high schools and local businesses have joined in the collection effort, greatly expanding the reach of this worthy cause.  As a result, GSP has been able to help nearly 23,000 high school women since 1999.

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“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 set a goal to collect more than 3,000 dresses this year, 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.  And we’re already off to a great start, thanks to donations received over the last few months.”

Zengeler Cleaners and its partners look to build on the success of last year, when they received a record-setting 3,400 new and gently-used prom dresses.  Generous donors have also contributed a wide range of accessories, such as shoes, purses and other formal wear accessories.  The combination of dresses and accessories donated in 2011 had an estimated value of worth more than $1.6 Million.

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It all leads up to the series of three consecutive Saturday shopping opportunities, scheduled this year on April 14, 21 and 28, allowing students plenty of time to shop for their own prom dresses.  The formal dresses and accessories are distributed free of charge to students at Glass Slipper "boutiques," where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer "personal shopper." This year’s boutiques can be found at McCorkle School, located at the corner of 44th and State Street in Chicago.  Thanks goes out to Chicago Public Schools for making McCorkle School available to the GSP.

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 Zengeler Cleaners’ newest store in Long Grove, IL.

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