Boots & Ballgowns kicks off fundraiser in time for prom
A successful Boots & Ballgowns fundraiser to benefit Cinderella’s Closet will help make many girls’ wishes of attending prom come true, organizers said.
The event kicked off Feb. 15 at the Williamson County Expo Center, with guests bidding on 10 different online auction items, including a trip to Cabo San Lucas and “Hamilton” tickets.
Raffle prizes ranged from tickets to the Houston Zoo to gift cards to Southside Market & Barbecue.
Proceeds from Boots & Ballgowns support Cinderella’s Closet, a Taylor nonprofit that furnishes dresses to young ladies for prom and other formal events.
Matt and Amie King attended with their daughter Marillah and her date Reese DeElena.
“We have always been big fans of Cinderella’s Closet,” Amie said. “We really like their mission and what they do. My daughter and I have both worn their dresses.”
Amie King needed a formal gown for another charity event and Cinderella’s Closet stepped in to help.
“They dressed me for that, so I was able to go and support that event and tell people that my dress came from Cinderella’s Closet,” she said.
Patrice Dempsey opened Cinderella’s Closet in 2015 after hearing about a similar program in Dallas. In the early years, Cinderella’s Closet didn’t have a permanent location.
Dempsey used a rental truck to bring dresses to Trinity Lutheran Church where girls viewed the inventory at tea parties Today, Cinderella’s Closet is located at 410 W. Seventh Street and appointments can be made to view apparel in the shop.
Dresses are free for area students to borrow with proof of school enrollment, and they must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian with valid identification.
For a small fee, Cinderella’s Closet also outfits adult women.
Amber Dee works for Action Overhead Doors, a Boots & Ballgowns sponsor, but Dee also has a personal connection to Cinderella’s
Closet. “I’ve donated some of my prom dresses to it because it’s such a good cause,” Dee said. “Girls who are less fortunate or who don’t want to spend that much money on a dress can go to Cinderella’s Closet and find a beautiful dress for prom.”
Sophie Wolf agreed. She attended Boots & Ballgowns with her date Hunter Pannell, who also works for a Boots & Ballgowns sponsor, One-Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Hutto and Taylor, but Wolf is also passionate about Cinderella’s Closet. “I think it’s an awesome cause, an amazing organization,” Wolf said. “If Cinderella’s Closet had been around when I was growing up, I absolutely would have utilized it. It’s beautiful and something girls need.”
With dinner catered by Thrall Country Diner and a cash bar, attendees were well-fed and watered. Texas Pro Sound Productions provided the music for dinner and dancing.
While the fundraiser has ended, it’s never too late to donate money, formal dresses or time as a volunteer, organizers said.
For more information about the services Cinderella’s Closet provides and how to help, visit cinderellasclosettaylor. com.
