Main image provided by J. David
High school students spend years anticipating their prom and homecoming events. Students who lack access to formal clothing often find their prom dreams impossible to achieve. Marjorie’s Hope has changed that with the Cinderella & Prince Charming Project, where students come in and pick out prom or homecoming attire, including shoes and even makeup or a haircut if needed.
Danett Fahr, a longtime volunteer and one of the project’s coordinators, has seen firsthand the impact of this mission. Originally launched as the Cinderella Project, the initiative expanded in 2020 under Marjorie’s Hope to include formalwear for young men as well. The change was driven by a simple but powerful idea: all students deserve to feel celebrated.
“We see kids who come in and say, ‘It’s my senior year, and I’ve never been to a dance before,’” Fahr says. “That hurts our heart.”
Their mission goes beyond the clothing. Each student is paired with a “fairy godmother,” a volunteer who guides them through the process of finding the perfect attire for their special day, from selecting styles to trying on formalwear for the first time.
The experience is often emotional — for both the students and the volunteers. Fahr recalls a moment when a student unknowingly selected a dress donated from her own daughter’s closet. The dress, once worn to her high school prom, fit the teen girl perfectly. “She had no idea it was a Sherri Hill dress,” Fahr shares. “And the shoes? A pair of donated Jimmy Choos in her exact size. It was like the universe aligned for her that day.”
The program is thoughtfully structured to provide teens with a truly boutique experience. Students try on dresses or suits in small groups, pose on lit stages in front of mirrors, and take photos of each option before narrowing it down to their favorite one. Afterward, they sign a chalkboard wall in the shop, adding their name to a growing visual representation of lives touched.
Though the experience is magical, it also meets a critical practical need. Many teens arrive through the foster care system or from families simply unable to afford formal wear. Some have never owned anything new before. While the program asks for a $10 donation, it’s never required.
“We’re volunteer-run,” Fahr explains. “But we do everything we can to make it feel special — from prom to graduation and beyond.”
The project has evolved to offer outfits for senior events, such as graduation or award ceremonies. “We call them our senior racks,” Fahr says, “We noticed a need. Some teens were walking across the graduation stage in jeans and dirty sneakers— not because they didn’t care, but because they didn’t have another option.”
Over the past few years, the project has grown from six borrowed racks of dresses at a local high school to a full-fledged storefront at Gulf View Square Mall. In just the past year alone, the program has helped more than 350 students during one homecoming season — and has provided over 5,400 items, including shoes, dresses, suits, and accessories, since its inception in 2020.
Every outfit, every smile, and every signature on the wall tells a story — not just of fashion but of possibility, pride, and community.
Support the Cinderella & Prince Charming Project
Monetary Donations:
Financial contributions enable the team to stretch every dollar—enabling them to keep the storefront up and running as well as purchase shoes, suits, and accessories at deep discounts at local thrift stores. Even small donations go a long way.
• Donate online: marjorieshope.com
• Sponsor a month/season: Email debi@marjorieshope.com to learn about business sponsorships
Clothing Donations:
Fashion-forward formalwear is accepted year-round. Gently used or new dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories are always welcome.
• Preferred: Items in current styles and excellent condition
• Needed most: Men’s dress shoes, black dress pants & suits, dress shirts, and accessories
Where to Donate:
Items can be dropped off for Cinderella & Prince Charming Project at 3 locations:
Gulf View Square Mall
9409 U.S. Hwy 19, Port Richey, FL 34668
(Drop-off hours vary; call or visit the website for seasonal hours)
Leaders Insurance Services Inc.
1817 Cypress Brook Drive, STE 105, Trinity, FL 34655
Wendell Krinn Technical High School
7650 Orchid Lake Road, New Port Richey, FL 34653
Volunteer Opportunities:
From becoming a fairy godmother to helping with inventory, volunteers are always needed.
For info, visit https://marjorieshope.com/steps-to-peace/cinderella-and-prince-charming-project-of-pasco-county/ or follow @CinderellaProjectPascoFL on social media.