Emmy award-winning poet Hank Stewart Hosts Enchanting Lives Prom Dress Drive

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 22, 2013 - ATLANTA -- The Enchanted Closet (http://www.enchantedcloset.org/), a volunteer-run nonprofit organization serving teenage girls from low-income households across metro Atlanta, is hosting a Dress Drive event to collect donated items for its 11th Annual Prom Dress Giveaway season. The Dress Drive will be held on Sunday March 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Marlee’s Coffee & Tea House (http://www.marleescoffeehouse.com/), 349 Decatur Street (Pencil Factory Lofts), Atlanta 30312.

The dress drive will be an enchanting addition to Marlee’s Sunday event, Love Jones Sunday with Emmy award-winning poet, Hank Stewart (http://www.hankstewart.net/). For a nominal $5 cover charge, this event offers a great evening of poetry and music.  

Items in need include:

New or gently used formal dresses sizes 0-6 and 12 and up, that are clean, in good condition and teen appropriate
Prom accessories such as jewelry, handbags, wraps and shoes
Gift certificates to restaurants, florists, limos and hair and nail salons
Monetary donations to offset the cost of dry-cleaning and repairing dresses

Hank Stewart is a motivational speaker, author, activist, founder and president of the Stewart Foundation (a youth leadership organization) and the founder of Five Men on a Stool. He has been called a catalyst for action, a messenger of hope and has been recently referred to as "The Griot." No doubt one of the nation's best poets, one of his primary goals is to motivate all people and make a positive impact in this world. He has recited his works to a wide range of audiences, but the responses are always the same – life changing for the listener. He adds to his writing credits over seven publications of poetry.

“The number of girls in need of the Enchanted Closet’s help continues to significantly increase each year, said Bonita Johnson,” Enchanted Closet President and CEO. “We greatly appreciate Mr. Stewart’s support of the girls of metropolitan Atlanta by calling on his fans, family, friends and associates to donate. We are incredibly thankful for the individuals and businesses that offer to host dress drives and help us with collecting donated items.”  

The Enchanted Closet’s Prom Dress Giveaway began in 2003 as a project to provide prom dresses to teenage girls whose families were financially challenged. To date, the Enchanted Closet has outfitted more than 4,000 girls for special occasions.

During the Prom Dress Giveaway, the Enchanted Closet offers a boutique-style setting and provides personal shoppers – people who are volunteers – to help each girl choose that perfect dress, accessories and makeup for their special night. Enchanted Closet encourages girls to be smart shoppers by providing them an opportunity to get beautiful gowns for $10, a handling fee that helps to offset the costs of dry-cleaning, alterations, and set-up. Accessories are available on a limited basis.

The 11th Annual Prom Dress Giveaway Finale is Saturday, March 30 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, 80 Forsyth Street N.W., Atlanta, 30303. Girls interested in receiving a prom dress should visit the Enchanted Closet website, www.enchantedcloset.org/student-registration  to reserve an appointment. Advanced registration is required to participate in Prom Dress Giveaway.

If unable to attend the Dress Drive event at Marlee’s Coffee & Tea House, the Enchanted Closet is collecting donations of prom attire and accessories for Prom Dress Giveaway from now through April. To find nearby donation locations, visit www.enchantedcloset.org (http://enchantedcloset.org/10th-annual-prom-dress-giveaway/).

About The Enchanted Closet:

The Enchanted Closet is a volunteer-run, private non-profit service organization whose mission is to physically, mentally, and emotionally outfit Metro Atlanta high school girls from low-income families through programs that prepare them for social and professional milestones.  Established in 2003 to distribute prom dresses to girls in metropolitan Atlanta, the Enchanted Closet also offers a GIRL$™ Service-Learning Program throughout the year to increase the self awareness, self esteem, and self sufficiency of girls.  For more information, visit the Enchanted Closet Web site at http://www.enchantedcloset.org.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/12104601/1