Dressed for the Prom, Thanks to Volunteers

Erica Sanchez was worried. With less than a month before the spring prom, the 16-year-old Anaheim High School junior needed a dress, a purse and some shoes for the rite of passage.

Enter Cinderellas for Life, an event started this year to help young women in foster care or who are economically disadvantaged like Erica, one of four sisters being raised by a single mother.

On Sunday, Erica was among 350 Orange County girls 15 to 18 who had their choice of more than 1,000 dresses and gowns, hundreds of shoes, purses, wraps and jewelry all donated and distributed free.

“My dress is so cool,” Erica said.

At 5-feet-3 and trim, Erica is a hard-to-fit size 2.

But with the help of volunteers Miri Shapiro and Tera Leuthauser, both 19-year-old UC Irvine students, she found a red gown with halter top that was a perfect fit.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Erica said.

“Both girls helping me out were young, and they kind of knew my taste, and they found this dress they wanted me to try on, and I really liked it.”

When Viviana, 17, Erica’s older sister saw her, a smile grew on her face.

“She looked hot. I was so proud of her,” said the older sister, who found her own deep-blue, floor-length gown with spaghetti straps and shoes.

A third sister, Ruby, 15, found a bright red strapless with matching sash.

Many of the gowns are one of kind and are valued between $200 and $400. Some were originally priced in the thousands, organizers said. The Sanchez sisters valued their dresses and accessories at $400 to $500 each.

“We know that one woman had a dress from a well-known designer that was made for her and she heard about this event and she dropped it off,” said Sara Parker, from Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

The foundation joined Working Wardrobes for a New Start, Girls Inc. and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Orange County to sponsor the event. Also providing dresses and volunteers were merchants Cache of South Coast Plaza, Windsor and Torrid, Cal State Fullerton’s Alpha Phi sorority and the Junior League of Orange County.

The event also included lessons on etiquette, posture, health and skin care.

Aderith Martinez, 17, of Garden Grove, said the lectures were eye-openers, especially those on placement and use of silverware, and making introductions.

“Usually I just say, ‘Hi.’ But they said it’s important that when you introduce yourself to say, ‘Hello,’ and shake hands,” Aderith said. “It makes a better personal presentation.”

Aderith also learned the proper placement of a napkin and how to rest a fork on a plate to signal that she will return.

“I didn’t know any of that stuff,” Aderith said.

Now Erica can’t wait until her prom.

In addition to her outfit, she made friends with Shapiro and Leuthauser.

“We made plans and they’re going to come to my house before the prom,” Erica said. “They’re going to do my hair and help me with my makeup.”

For Shapiro and Leuthauser, helping Erica gave them something too.

“To see her face wearing that red dress was everything,” Leuthauser said. “She looked beautiful.”