Bingo for dresses

PERKINS TWP. — An event allowed guests to have fun, win pursues and, most importantly, raise money for an important cause. More than 300 people attended the 10th-annual Designer Handbag Bingo event on Feb. 7 at the American Legion Post 83 on Hayes Ave. (Ohio 4) in Sandusky. Annette Ferrell, the nonprofit's founder and main coordinator, offered up some more information about the event, its mission and how people can still aid in this cause: Q: What was the event? What purpose did it serve? AF: Cinderella's Closet hosted our 10th-annual Designer Handbag Bingo on Feb. 7. We held our first Designer Handbag Bingo 10 years ago, and we were the first nonprofit in our area to host a Designer Handbag Bingo. (In 2021 and 2022,) we held a Virtual Designer Handbag Drawing, due to COVID, to raise funds to support Cinderella's Closet. We have a great following of ladies that have supported all 10 of our events. Cinderella's Closet hosts 20 rounds of bingo, and each winner of bingo receives a designer handbag, and we hold many other raffles during our event. The proceeds that we raise from our fundraiser help our organization purchase prom and homecoming dresses, jewelry, shoes and helps support our operating expenses at our location. Q: What is the mission of Cinderella's Closet? AF: Cinderella's Closet provides high school girls that do not have the financial resources with formal dresses, shoes and jewelry for their prom and homecoming dances. All formal wear provided from Cinderella's Closet is a gift for the girls who visit our closet. Through donations of new and gently used formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, shoes and handbags, we are able to "turn dresses into dreams" for juniors and seniors referred to our organization. Our mission statement is the following: "Cinderella's Closet encourages confidence in high school girls while granting wishes with formal attire and recognizing the beauty and diversity of these young women." Cinderella's Closet is celebrating our 13th year serving girls not only from Erie County but many other counties. We served almost 300 high school girls in 2022 for proms and homecomings and anticipate those numbers to increase for 2023. We receive referrals from high school counselors, children services, teachers, parents/guardians and grandparents. Q: How do the dresses get paid for? AF: Cinderella's Closet Designer Handbag Bingo is our only fundraiser that we hold, and it helps us to financially support our yearly cost for prom/homecoming dresses, shoes, other operating expenses and jewelry. Although our annual fundraiser was successful, we are always accepting monetary donations to support our annual operating expenses. Cinderella's Closet has no paid staff and is solely operated by volunteers. Q: How can people donate? AF: Cinderella's Closet is always accepting gently used and new dress donations. We also accept shoes, jewelry and evening purse donations. Donations can be arranged by contacting Cinderella's Closet at afcindercloset@aol.com. Monetary donations can be made out to Cinderella's Closet, 5500 Milan Road, Unit 342, Sandusky, OH 44870. People can also visit cinderellascloset.sanduskyspotlight.com. Q: What else should people know about? AF: Cinderella's Closet was established as a nonprofit in October 2010. We were originally located on the third floor of the Nehemiah Partners (of Sandusky) and, in June 2017, we relocated to Park Plaza to be more accessible for those with mobility issues and handicaps. Cinderella's Closet is on Facebook, Cinderellas Closet Northeast Ohio, and Instagram, as cinderellascl. Appointments can be made by reaching out to us through social media and emailing afcindercloset@aol.com. Cinderellas Closet Northeast Ohio will be announcing our dates soon. We will start accepting appointments when the dates are posted. We are looking forward to prom 2023.