NOTE: Anton’s Cleaners is located at 240 Main Street in Wilmington.
WILMINGTON, MA — Anton’s Cleaners kicked off its 12th annual Belle of the Ball Prom Dress Collection program at all Anton’s Cleaners and Jordan’s Furniture locations through March 26.
Caring Partners’ “Belle of the Ball” prom dress drive returns to help high school junior and senior girls who may choose not to attend prom due to financial constraints. The public is invited to help by donating good quality, gently worn or new prom dresses and like-new special occasion purses.
Anton’s Cleaners will then clean the donated prom dresses at no charge, and distribute them to high school junior and senior girls who could not otherwise afford to attend their school’s prom. These items can be dropped off at any of Anton’s Cleaners 42 locations or Jordan’s Furniture stores through March 26. Monetary and in-kind donations will also be accepted to cover jewelry, makeup and other accessories and prom-related services; visit antons.com/belle.
All dresses are cleaned by Anton’s as a community service program of Caring Partners Inc. This program culminates in a day-long “boutique,” where deserving girls are invited for a day of personal shopping and pampering. Last year, over nearly 500 girls participated in Boutique Day, hosted by Simmons College, with dresses displayed in a variety of colors, styles and sizes displayed, all free of charge. To date, more than 3,000 girls have been outfitted since Belle of the Ball began in 2005.
Since attendance to Boutique Day is by “invitation only,” students must be prequalified by guidance counselors, teachers and social service agency personnel, who refer high school girls to the program. Referrals are welcome through antons.com/belle.
“Prom is one of the most memorable days in a young woman’s life, and as long as this program has been running, we ensure that no high school girl misses her prom for financial reasons,” said Arthur Anton Jr., chief operating officer of Anton’s Cleaners and a founder of Belle of the Ball. “Belle of the Ball was established a dozen years ago to let girls feel like a princess on the night of the ball and be beautiful, inside and out, thanks to our team of volunteers and supporters.”
Last year, Belle of the Ball collected 6,789 dresses, as well as thousands of shoes, purses and makeup items from more than 1,000 individuals from local corporations, nonprofits, retailers, media partners and volunteers. Anton’s Cleaners collected and cleaned the donated dresses, with cleaning services exceeding $259,000 in value, bringing the total donated to $1,733,503.
“We are happy to continue our support of this great program with Anton’s and Caring Partners,” said Eliot Tatelman, president and CEO of Jordan’s Furniture. “Our generous customers donate hundreds of dresses and gowns, and the Belle Boutique Day is so inspiring. We are so proud to play an integral role in Belle of the Ball. It warms our hearts to see the huge smiles on the faces of these wonderful girls each season.”
Promotional partners on board this year includes Jordan’s Furniture, FOX25, The Bull 101.7, Kiss 108 FM, JAM’N 94.5 and Wicked Local.
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 winner of the 2010 Purple Dress Award from donatemydress.org.
Similar to Anton’s successful Coats for Kids drive, the collection effort is coordinated with high schools, colleges and corporate and community partners. Companies, organizations and schools interested in hosting 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.
(NOTE: The above press release is from Anton’s.)
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