Cinderella’s Closet returns to Paducah, helping girls prep for prom
PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – “Cinderella’s Closet is more than just a dress and pair of shoes. We spend the day showing them love, and grace, and respect them, and help them build their confidence.”
Susan Kirkham is the director of Cinderella’s Closet, an organization that started 17 years ago in northern Kentucky and has assisted high school seniors in Paducah for eight years. She shares the excitement she feels knowing she has helped 100 girls in the town this year.
“If you could see the hair rising up on my arms, it gives me goosebumps, it just gives me goosebumps. There are tears of joy that comes through the day,” said Kirkham.
The event is made possible through community members donating prom attire to ensure the young women will have the best experience at no cost to them.
The student’s school or social care agency refers the young women to make sure the have the advantage of attending prom. Each individual attending the event is paired with their own “fairy godmother” who assists them throughout their Cinderella’s Closet experience. Including Tiffany Thomas, who says this is her first experience, but not her last.
“Getting them prepared for their junior or senior prom is amazing. Some girls come in not knowing what color they look good in, or what shoes they’re looking for,” said Thomas. “Just being able to help those girls is a great feeling.”
Nearly 100 different fairy godmothers where present, giving the help and confidence boost, any girl would love to have in preparation for prom.
“We have a place where they can step up on the podium and look in the mirror and when they try on those dresses, and they see how absolutely gorgeous they are, inside and out,” said Kirkham. “It is just such a pleasure to see them experience something good.”
