Last March, Cinderella's Closet of Western Kentucky brought 80 girls from 10 regional high schools together at Owensboro Christian Church to select prom dresses, shoes and accessories, to pick up hair and makeup ideas, and to enjoy being pampered for the day.

This year, Carrie Kimbrell, youth services coordinator at Daviess County High School, is hoping to expand that to 100 girls.

"We don't turn any girls down," she said. "I'm hoping we have enough dresses and shoes for as many girls as we can help."

Cinderella's Closet provides formal wear to girls who otherwise could not afford to attend their high school proms.

Kimbrell said the organization "turns dresses into dreams" for high school juniors and seniors throughout western Kentucky who are referred by their schools.

To make sure there are enough prom dresses available for girls who need them, Cinderella's Closet will host a community-wide dress drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Owensboro Christian Church, 2818 New Hartford Road.

Donors should use Entrance D.

Cinderella's Closet began in 2006 in Lakeside Park in northern Kentucky.

Since then, the concept has spread across Kentucky and to seven other states.

Kimbrell said she began sending students to Frankfort to select prom dresses through Cinderella's Closet about seven years ago.

Two years ago, she and Sue Krampe, Apollo High School youth services coordinator, began planning to host an event in Owensboro — a mammoth task that included soliciting donations for prom dresses and lining up volunteers.

This year, Cinderella's Closet will open its doors inside the church on March 19 for the girls selected to participate.

Each will have a "fairy godmother" to guide them through the dress selection process, help them find shoes and jewelry and provide support.

Kimbrell said, "If a dress needs to be cleaned, we'll work with the cleaners. But most have been cleaned before they're brought to us."