Do you have old dresses, shoes or accessories collecting dust? Clean up your closet to help local girls in St. Louis through the Cinderella Project. 

The Cinderella Project provides free prom dresses, shoes and accessories for teenage girls in St. Louis impacted by foster care, and those in extreme financial need, who cannot afford to purchase a formal dress.

The Cinderella Project hosts a weeklong VIP - “Very Important Princess” - giveaway at the end of February. Each VIP is given an appointment with one or two volunteer personal shoppers who help her find the dress of her dreams. Part of the experience includes volunteer seamstresses who help with alterations to make sure every dress is a customized fit.

St. Charles Community College alumni Catherine Gettemeyer started the Cinderella Project during her Service Learning course at SCC, under the supervision of SCC Professor Vicky Herbel. Gettemeyer brought the drive back to SCC this year to give back to the community and to complete her practicum for her Master of Science degree in Merchandising through Framingham State University.

If you're an SCC student looking for service hours, volunteering for the Cinderella Project is a way to give back. Please note: It is not necessary for you to be an SCC student, faculty or staff member to volunteer.

Donations are accepted in the Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building lounge at St. Charles Community College - located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. in Cottleville, Mo. - on the following dates:

  • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 23
  • 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Thursday, Oct. 24 

After the Cinderella Project, the remaining formal gowns, dresses and accessories will be donated to the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition resale boutique, ReFresh, and will be marked for sale for $25-35. All profits earned by ReFresh support the Coalition's mission to recruit and support foster and adoptive families.

If you are unable to drop off items in time for the Cinderella Project, you can still donate dresses, shoes and accessories at ReFresh. ReFresh is located at 1710 S. Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood.

For more information, please contact Catherine at cgettemeyer@student.framingham.edu.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.