Morrisville State College helps local girls afford dance dresses

From pink taffeta trimmed in sequins, to sleek beaded, ruffled, plain, long, or short—a collection of dresses and gowns are looking for dates for upcoming holiday and winter school dances.



More than 200 dresses, stocked at Cinderella's Closet with the help of Morrisville State College faculty, staff and students, hope to dazzle their way to area teens in time for holiday frolics and festivities.



The chic apparel will all be available to try on and take home Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hamilton Bible Fellowship Church, 7433 Hamilton St., Hamilton, where the closet is housed.



The event is free and open to any student in need of a dress for an upcoming formal dance.



Started last year, Cinderella's Closet is a program which offers lightly used semi-formal and formal dresses free to area teens to use for various occasions. Loaned dresses are later returned so they can be worn by others to different events.



“Despite their financial situation, the program offers area students a chance to go to their school dances and feel like a princess,” Brenda Coogan, who coordinates efforts at Morrisville State College, said.



Donations of lightly used dresses are always accepted. To make a donation or to volunteer for the organization, call Susan Nolen at 824-3295.



The program, which operates with the assistance of Morrisville State College, Hamilton College, Cazenovia College and area churches, welcomes volunteers.



Morrisville State College, one of the most technologically advanced colleges in the nation for its ThinkPad University program and wireless technology initiative, offers more than 80 bachelor and associate degrees and options.