Amanda Bentley Fessler of Florence chaired the annual ‘Girls Night Out’ fundraising event to raise money for Kenzie’s Closet, a nonprofit boutique that provides complete prom outfits for financially-disadvantaged girls.
The nonprofit will serve approximately 450 girls from 65 area schools during this 2015 spring prom season. The schools are from urban, suburban, and rural Northern Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Most students have family household incomes of less than $22,000.
Kenzie’s Closet has helped more than 3,000 financially-disadvantaged students over the past nine years. It is located in Cincinnati.
Kenzie’s Closet’s executive director, Kathy Smith, pointed out that “The numbers are just a small part of the whole story. Every young student who has been able to attend her prom because of the mission of Kenzie’s Closet over these past nine years has had her own unique life story. We know that because of the volunteers and donations that have made Kenzie’s Closet possible, these young women have a chance to feel special, beautiful, and loved for one very important high school memory. For many of our students, this is a once in a lifetime experience.”
Each junior and senior high school student who has been referred to Kenzie’s Closet from their school principal, counselor or social service agency, is guided through the shopping experience in the beautifully-decorated private boutique setting. They leave Kenzie’s Closet with their ‘perfect prom outfit’ – a dress of their dreams, shoes, a wrap, a purse, and jewelry. There is no cost to the student.
Smith stressed the importance of the energetic group of more than 300 volunteers annually, the donations of prom dresses, jewelry and wraps over the years; and the financial generosity of individuals and businesses.
Brynne Coletti, founder of the organization, explained that Kenzie’s Closet was named after Makena (Kenzie) Anne Comisar, who was tragically killed in a single-car accident in 2002 before she was able to attend her senior prom. Kenzie was a student at St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati and was known for her big heart and generosity.
For information Kenzie’s Closet, visit www.kenziescloset.org