BOAZ, Ala. – What began with a single thrift-store prom dress has grown into a Boaz-based nonprofit with more than 250 formal dresses, plans to serve approximately 50 students in 2027 with hopes of eventually expanding into Cullman County.
The Cinderella Project provides free prom dresses, formal wear, shoes and accessories to students whose families may otherwise struggle with the cost of attending prom.
President and Co-founder Malerie Farmer said the idea took shape earlier this year after she began seeing teachers in the area use social media to seek donated prom dresses for students who could not afford them.
“Earlier this year I saw multiple Facebook posts from teachers around our area asking for donated prom dresses, either for a student or multiple students that they knew weren’t able to afford them,” Farmer said.
Those posts reminded Farmer of her own experience preparing for prom.
“My mom was a single mom and couldn’t afford a new dress,” she said. “My prom dresses came from Facebook Marketplace.”
Her aunt and fellow co-founder, Marie Boatwright, had faced similar challenges years earlier.
Farmer said Boatwright’s prom dress was homemade because formal dresses were expensive and plus-size options were difficult to find at the time.
Then, while Farmer and her aunt were thrift shopping, Farmer came across a prom dress.
“This made me think, ‘What if I could remove the financial burden and help as many girls as possible go to prom?’” she said.
That dress became the starting point.
Farmer said The Cinderella Project has since grown from one Goodwill dress to more than 250 dresses in sizes 00-26.
More than half of those dresses were purchased new through partnerships with individuals and businesses supporting the organization, she said.
The Cinderella Project helped approximately three students in April during its early stages. Farmer said organizers are preparing to serve about 50 students in 2027, possibly more.
The nonprofit currently serves students in Marshall, Etowah and Blount counties.
Farmer said the financial challenges surrounding prom often extend well beyond the cost of formal wear.
“Many people think the biggest expense is the dress or tuxedo, but the truth is that’s the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “Hair, make up, photos, prom tickets, flowers, shoes and dinner are all things included in the prom experience, and these things can end up costing families a lot of money and can even make prom feel out of reach for some.”
The Cinderella Project is attempting to address several of those expenses while also creating an experience similar to visiting a traditional formalwear shop.
Students seeking assistance will first complete an intake form. Once the form is reviewed, the organization will schedule a time for the student to attend one of its shopping days.
Farmer said volunteers will help students throughout the process, from signing in to trying on dresses and selecting shoes and accessories.
Once a student chooses the items they want, the student signs a rental agreement agreeing to return them so they can be reused during future prom seasons.
Students will also receive contact information for hair and makeup artists and photographers who have volunteered their time and services, allowing students to arrange those appointments individually.
The organization also relies on a network of volunteers and community partners.
Its volunteer roles include the Tiara Team, which assists students during shopping and with paperwork; Memory Makers, who provide photography; Royal Stylists, who assist with hair and makeup; Petal Partners involving florists; Enchanted Ambassadors who assist with community outreach; and restaurant partners who help with meals.
Farmer said dresses are no longer the organization’s greatest immediate need.
“At this point, we have enough dresses for this season,” she said.
Instead, funding, shoes and men’s formal wear have become priorities.
“Men’s formal wear is very hard to come by, so we are hoping with the help of sponsors we can cover rental fees for those male students in need,” Farmer said.
The organization is currently accepting donations of new or gently used prom and formal-style shoes. Financial support is also needed for expenses that cannot easily be met through donated items, including flowers and tuxedo and shoe rentals.
The Cinderella Project identifies itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Cullman County is not currently among the organization’s three primary service counties, but Farmer said expansion into the area is a goal.
“For us to expand, we need financial support, along with volunteers, and a location for our pop-up prom shop,” she said. “Any local individuals or businesses that are willing to donate could make this possible in the future.”
Farmer said community support would make a formal Cullman County expansion possible.
“With the help of the community we will expand our services to Cullman County as well,” she said.
Students outside the current service area are not necessarily excluded, however.
“Even though we currently serve Marshall, Etowah and Blount counties with hopes of adding Cullman County, we are open to helping others who truly need help from outside those counties, given resources available,” Farmer said. “So please reach out and we can determine if we are able to help.”
The organization may eventually reach much farther than north Alabama.
Farmer said someone has already approached The Cinderella Project about opening another chapter in east-central Texas.
“At this point we believe the Lord has opened many doors and hopefully we will be able to help many more students, even reach a greater area than what we originally thought,” she said. “We are just going to go where He takes us.”
Farmer and Boatwright founded The Cinderella Project. Dedra Puckett serves as chief financial officer, while Deborah Talton works with the organization as its “Royal Seamstress.”
Farmer said continued exposure and community involvement will determine how many students the nonprofit can ultimately reach.
The Cinderella Project is currently preparing for the 2027 prom season while seeking sponsors, volunteers, shoes, financial contributions and additional community partners.
Students and families seeking assistance may apply through The Cinderella Project’s website.
Those interested in donating, volunteering, sponsoring the organization or learning more may call 256-572-0310, email info.thecinderellaproject@gmail.com or visit www.thecinderellaprojectal.org.
