Mothers Trust Foundation Announces Prom Dress Collection Drive

MTF, University Center and College of Lake County plus Zengeler Cleaners Join Hands For 2024 event

Mothers Trust Foundation (MTF) of Lake Forest is pleased to announce the return of their popular “Pop Up Prom Shoppe” promotion, scheduled for this coming March. The Pop Up Prom Shoppes help high school women throughout Lake County experience their proms without the worry of the high cost of dresses, accessories and formal wear. That problem is solved by Mothers Trust Foundation and Zengeler Cleaners through their annual formal wear giveaway, in cooperation with the University Center of Lake County and the College of

Lake County, both located in Grayslake, Illinois.

“Mothers Trust Foundation is very excited to announce the return of our popular Pop Up Prom Shoppes the weekend of March 7, 8 and 9, 2025,” said Marly Subido, MTF Office & Events Manager. “Our goal is to ensure the cost of a dress isn’t the reason someone cannot attend their high school prom. Thanks to donations of dresses, shoes and accessories from former students and Zengeler Cleaners customers, we can eliminate that obstacle for thousands of students. We’ve already contacted area school districts who have generously supported this event in previous years so they can schedule dress collection drives as the calendar turns to 2025.”

Zengeler Cleaners has spearheaded the prom dress collection drive since 2003, receiving more than 80,000 donated dresses along with thousands of pairs of shoes, jewelry and other accessories over the past 20+ years. The Zengeler team inspects and repairs each donation as needed, then cleans each dress to assure it is “prom ready” when selected by a high school student attending the Pop Up Prom Shoppes.

Coordinating the 2025 event for MTF is Maggie Feinendegen. “Volunteering for the Mothers Trust Pop Up Prom Shoppe has provided some of the best experiences I've ever had,” beamed Maggie. “I am so proud and excited to be on the staff this year, watching more high school students light up the room in their prom dresses! All Lake County students in need of a dress are invited to join us and create new memories to last for years to come!”

Mothers Trust Foundation is looking for both student and adult volunteers to help with this year’s event. Opportunities include helping organize and sort donated dresses and apparel, assisting students while they “shop” for their perfect prom outfit and helping students understand their continuing education options at both CLC and UCLC, including how to get career path guidance and financial assistance. As Mothers Trust Foundation likes to emphasize, the Pop Up Prom Shoppe experience “is more than a dress!”

Volunteers from Highland Park High school assisting with prep for the 2024 Pop Up Prom Shoppes are pictured above. Learn more about Mothers Trust Foundation at motherstrustfoundation.org or by contacting Maggie Feinendegen (847-596-1256; mfeinendegen@motherstrustfoundation.org).

For more information about Zengeler Cleaners, visit zengelercleaners.com. Zengeler Cleaners locations include Northbrook, Deerfield, Northfield, Winnetka, Long Grove and two stores in Libertyville. Zengeler Cleaners … America's First Family of Dry Cleaning™.