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Anton's Cleaners "Belle of the Ball" prom dress drive ends March 29th

Prom season is here, and for some girls, this red carpet season stirs dreams of designer dresses, shoe shopping and one of the biggest social events of the year. For girls with fewer financial resources, the expenses of prom season can bring enormous stress on the entire family, and many girls must choose not to attend this major life event.
 

 


On February 3, 2014, Anton’s Cleaners kicks off its 10th annual Belle of the Ball Prom Dress Collection program at all Anton’s Cleaners and Jordan’s Furniture locations. Belle of the Ball distributes cleaned prom dresses at no charge to high school junior and senior girls who could not otherwise afford to attend their school’s prom. 
 


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The public is invited to help by donating good quality, gently worn or new prom dresses and like-new special occasion purses. These items can be dropped off at any of Anton’s Cleaners 42 locations or Jordan’s Furniture stores through March 29, 2014 (see antons.com for store locations). Monetary and in-kind donations are also welcome to cover jewelry, makeup and other accessories and prom-related services; visit antons.com/belle.

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All dresses are cleaned by Anton’s free of charge as a community service as a program of Caring Partners, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
 
Unlike other prom gown collection drives, this program culminates in a day-long “boutique” where deserving girls are invited for a day of personal shopping and pampering. Last year, over 400 girls participated in Boutique Day, with close to 2,000 dresses in a variety of colors, styles and sizes displayed, all free of charge. To date, more than 2,300 girls have been outfitted since Belle of the Ball began in 2005.

 

Last year, Anton’s Cleaners collected 5,676 dresses, with cleaning services donated exceeding $203,000.
 
Since attendance is by “invitation only,” students must be pre-qualified by guidance counselors, teachers and social service agency personnel, who refer high school girls to the program.





 

“I’m really excited. This program made me feel more confident,” said one participant in last year’s Boutique Day. “I think this is a great opportunity, a very exciting day for us,” said another.

 


“Let’s face it: proms are expensive and quite a financial burden for some families. Belle of the Ball gives young women the chance to feel like a princess for a day, giving them everything they need to make prom night as beautiful and magical as they are,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO, Anton’s Cleaners and founder of Belle of the Ball. “Thanks to generous supporters and customers, we can give these dresses a second life and make hundreds of young women sure every girl who wants to attend her prom is able to.”

 




Promotional partners on board this year including Jordan’s Furniture, FOX25, Evolution 101.7, Kiss 108 FM, JAM’N 94.5, FOX 25, and Wicked Local.

 




Much like Anton’s highly successful Coats for Kids program, the collection effort will be coordinated with high schools, colleges, and corporate and community partners. Companies, organizations and schools interested in holding a prom dress collection drive, making an in-kind donation, or individuals looking to volunteer at the boutique can obtain more information at antons.com/belle.
 


 

According to Eliot Tatelman, President and CEO of Jordan’s Furniture, “Jordan’s has always believed in giving back to the community and this is one of our many wonderful, dedicated charitable initiatives. Helping young women feel beautiful inside and out - assisting youth and families right in our backyard – is a wonderful result of this program.”
 

 


Belle of the Ball is, on the surface a dress collection drive. But at its core it is a powerful personal experience for each young woman who attends. The referred participants often come from difficult backgrounds, both financially and emotionally. Over the years, participants of Belle of the Ball have reflected that it was a wonderful experience not because of how they looked in their dress, but because of the positive change in the way they felt about themselves.
  

 


Belle of the Ball is the proud winner of the 2010 Purple Dress Award from donatemydress.org. 
 
For more information about Anton’s Cleaners Belle of the Ball, visit antons.com/belle.

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