Donations
We have had quite a few requests to buy students dresses or donate to our scholarship fund. We have created a PayPal account if you would like to donate. This fund goes directly into our local Financial Plus Credit Account to Melissa’s Closet & Crystal’s Jewelry Box. If you have questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]
Have a dress to give?
Need a dress for Prom?
In loving memory of Melissa Michalowski & Crystal Carr
About Us: Us: In 2008 Whitmore Ace Hardware was fortunate to have employed a bright and shining start named Melissa Michalowski. Melissa came to work every day happy to be there. It was hard to miss her smile and happy attitude within the store Sadly in December of that year Melissa was killed in a car accident along with her friend Crystal Carr. This was a such a huge loss to all. Our staff at Whitmore Ace Hardware, felt strongly we wanted to do something in Melissa’s memory. We employ quite a few students who were talking about the expense of their prom. They were asking to work more hours to be able to afford it. A lot of the students could not afford dresses, tuxes or limos, a lot of thing other students may take for granted.
Whitmore Ace Hardware has nine locations in nine separate communities, so what a great opportunity to collect gently worn prom dresses. We said “yes to the dress” in an unlikely place like a hardware store, and the dresses came in. We created Melissa’s Closet and Crystals Jewelry Box. Reed Custer School and Mrs. Melinda Hogan gave us a room to sell these prom dresses for $5.00 each one day after school. The first year, 2011, we were so excited to have 120 dresses and we are now into our tenth year (missing last year ugh COVID) and have dressed over 3,500 girls for prom. Godley Park District was kind enough to give us a home for such a large event. In 2019 we had over 2191 dresses. So far, we have dressed over 3.500 students for prom. Paul Mitchell School brings their students out to set up a beauty salon and will do updo’s and make up for free.
Last year we had over 100 volunteers. We have been lucky enough to have new dresses donated by local prom stores along with jewelry shoes and purses. 2015 was our first year of the Melissa’s Closet and Crystals Jewelry Box Scholarship of $1000.00. Our goal is to increase that scholarship every year. At
9 am on the Saturday of the sale there are always lots of beautiful young students waiting for the doors
to open.
Saturday, March 5th from 9am-1pm
at Godley Park District
500 S. Kankakee Street, Godley IL
• Long and short formal gowns from 2018-new
• Accessories: Fancy jewelry, Purses, Shoes
ALL Students Welcome! FREE Hair & Makeup!
Godley Park District
Our 2018 Scholarship Recipients were Haley Hamilton and Madelyn Alton
** Applications will be available the day of the sale.
** Visit us at this year’s Melissa’s Closet & Crystal’s Jewelry Box sale and fill out an application. You might be the next $1000.00 Scholarship Recipient!
Want to apply? Get the date and location!
We are Collecting Prom Dresses!
Stop by the participating locations below to make your donation til March 2nd
• Long and short formal gowns from 2018-new
• Accessories: Fancy jewelry, Purses, Shoes
• Dresses must be clean, on hangers, and in excellent condition
Participating Locations
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Braidwood): 237 N. Front St., Braidwood, IL – (815) 458-9850
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Wilmington): 1105 S. Water St., Wilmington, IL – (815) 476-7761
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Manteno): 361 S. Locust St., Manteno, IL – (815) 468-3137
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Manhattan): 210 State St., Manhattan, IL – (815) 478-3317
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Mokena): 11600 Francis Road, Mokena IL- (708)955-1999
Whitmore Ace Hardware (New Lenox): 358 W. Maple St., New Lenox IL- (815)485-3040
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Coal City)
1025 E Division St., Coal City IL
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Morris)
221 Bedford Rd., Morris IL
Whitmore Ace Hardware (Minooka)
855 S Ridge Rd., Minooka IL
Quality Auto Body: 97 N. 1st Ave., Coal City, IL – (815) 634-8511
Fossil Ridge Public Library: 386 W. Kennedy Rd., Braidwood, IL – (815) 458-2187
Free Press Newspaper (Wilmington): 111 S. Water St., Wilmington, IL – (815) 476-7966
Free Press Newspaper (Coal City): 271 S. Broadway St., Coal City, IL – (815) 634-0315
Our Caring Closet: 205 N. First St., Wilmington, IL – (Check Available Hours)
Gene Mundt American Portfolio Manager: 318 Alana Dr., New Lenox, IL
Coal City Public Library: 85 N. Garfield St., Coal City, IL
Water Street Boutique (Mokena): 11600 Francis Road, Mokena IL- (708) 995-1998
Godley Park District (Godley): 500 S Kankakee St, Godley IL
Financial Plus Credit Union (Diamond): 1800 Main Street, Diamond IL
All Participating Churches
Whitmore Braidwood
Whitmore Coal City
1025 E. Division Street, Coal City, IL
Whitmore Manteno
Whitmore Manhattan
Whitmore Mokena
Whitemore Mokena:11600 Francis Rd, Mokena, IL 60448, USA
Whitmore New Lenox
358 W. Maple Street, New Lenox, IL
Whitmore Wilmington
Quality Auto Body
Fossil Ridge
Free Press Wilmington
Free Press Coal City
Our Caring Closet
Gene Mundt American Portfolio Manger
Gene Mundt American Portfolio Manager: 318 Alana Dr., New Lenox, IL
Coal City Library
Water Street Boutique Mokena
Water Street Boutique: 11600 Francis Road, Mokena,IL (708) 955-1998
Godley Park District
500 S. Kankakee St. ,Godley, IL
Financial Plus Credit Union
1800 Main Street, Diamond, IL
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