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As winter turns to spring, the final months of high school for soon-to-be graduates and other students are upon us. 

Clark County Community Services (CCCS) and CC’s Closet recently provided a unique opportunity that combines their own interest in aid to others. 

On Sunday, March 11, CC’s Closet presented Prom and Pastries, a fundraiser for Clark County Community Services, at its address on 30 Taylor Avenue. 

“I just look at this as being another aspect of how we are trying to transform CC’s Closet into a store for the community,” said Laci Scarboro, executive director of CCCS. “We’re trying to get the word out there that we exist…and that we’re here for everyone!” 

As a non-profit thrift store, all proceeds from C.C.’s Closet go directly toward serving CCCS. 

Prom and Pastries, the first event of its kind, was an idea born almost by accident. 

After noticing that prom dresses had been donated, Scarboro – who already knew of Cinderella’s Closet at George Rogers Clark High School – envisioned it. 

The latter program, begun in 2010, has helped provide inexpensive prom dresses to students. 

“The event was that people could come in and donate a prom dress to Cinderella’s Closet and they would get a reduced admission,” Scarboro said. “Or, they could donate canned food to the Food Pantry and receive a reduced [admission].” 

While a regular ticket to the event cost $20, those donating canned foods or to Cinderella’s Closet had a reduced fee of $10.

Several community partners and local businesses were willing to provide support, including by donating items for a raffle that could be taken home for a prize. 

“That was really cool. That was an awesome aspect,” added Scarboro. “That was another [way] we could bring more visibility to local businesses through C.C.’s [Closet].” 

She elaborated further.

“The spirit of everything that we do is giving and trying to make sure that…everybody in our community has what they need,” Scarboro said. “I think that teenagers are often an overlooked demographic of that, especially young ladies. So, we wanted to make sure that all girls could afford a formal dress [and] all girls would have the opportunity to go to Prom or Soiree of any of the dances at school.” 

With the dresses donated, nearly a dozen female students from GRC were able to model the clothes in a fashion show-like environment, with a carpet being laid out inside CC’s Closet to create a makeshift runway. 

Savannah Anderson, assistant manager at C.C.’s Closet, played a significant role in the planning process. 

“I feel like we had a diverse array of dresses. Even [with] some of the ones that the girls were wearing, we had [dresses] from the 90’s or [dresses] that are in style now,” said Anderson. “It was a very big, broad range of different kinds of dresses, materials, [and] sizes…There really truly was something for everyone there.” 

Certainly not least, The Hall Coffee and Social Club was more than happy to provide coffee, while volunteers and staff made a variety of treats such as macaroons, cupcakes, cheesecake, cookies, and more. 

Along with a worthwhile experience for many, Scarboro hopes it continues to establish the purpose behind C.C.’s Closet and CCCS. 

“We need people to donate and shop so we’re able to continue our mission of empowering community members toward self-sustainability.”