Employees of Independence Bank donated 50 dresses and $1,000 to Cinderella’s Closet last week. This is the fourth year that Independence Bank employees have supported the organization, which helps provide dresses and accessories to teenage girls who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend prom.
“We learned about Cinderella’s Closet after the Western Kentucky Chapter hosted it’s first big event in 2015 and saw information about it on social media,” said Khristina Onstott, Operations Coordinator at Independence Bank. “Once our group saw pictures of the event and the smiling faces of the girls that they were able to help, we instantly knew that this was an organization that we wanted to be involved with. We started volunteering that year helping with their fundraisers and from there our involvement has grown.”
Khristina said her group at Independence Bank donates money from their paychecks to help different community organizations. “We have used our funds for a variety of causes, but for the past two years we have been able to make two donations of $1,000 to help Cinderella’s Closet,” Khristina said. “We accepted donations from the community for the entire month of February. Even though the dress drive officially takes place during the month of February, our employees from all locations send our group dress donations throughout the year.”
Cinderella’s Closet will host their big event on March 17 at Owensboro Christian Church. On that day they expect their largest turnout of 170 junior and senior girls from surrounding counties. The girls will be able to choose a prom dress from hundreds of dresses and also be able to choose shoes and accessories to go with their dress. While they are at the event on March 17, they will also get makeup and hair tips from local professionals who have volunteered their time. The girls will also be able to make boutonnieres for their dates and flip flops they can change into after they have danced the night away.
“The big day is about more than just giving the girls a dress and the accessories to go with it,” Khristina said. “The day is about creating a wonderful experience for the girls that make them feel special and loved.”
