Mon, 02/15/2016 - 3:00pm

Mariah Ross of Mount View received a free prom dress, accessories and dinner for two courtesy of Cinderella Project of Maine, as she was named a special 'Cinderella for a Day' in 2013. (Photo by Kay Stephens).

BELFAST — After 10 years of compassionate service to Maine high school students, the current lead fairy godmothers of the Cinderella Project of Maine are ready to pass the torch to the next generation of project leadership.

The project, which started in 2005, provides free and gently used prom gowns to Maine high school students with only one stipulation – that they promise to pay the favor forward somehow by helping someone else in their community. Since its humble beginnings, the project has given away more than 1,000 dresses to Maine high school girls.

Last year, the Cinderella Project of Maine gave away 211 dresses between their two giveaway sites in Belfast and Gardiner. The project is an initiative of Waldo Community Action Partners and what makes its model both unique and successful is that it is almost entirely volunteer-run.

High school students are able to come in on the day of the giveaway and receive on-site encouragement and mentorship from the dozens of Cinderella Project of Maine “fairy godmothers.” The hope is that students will see how much their community cares about them and in turn, feel empowered to do something for others.

The project holds the promotion of positive body image and self-esteem above all else and seeks an energetic, compassionate individual or team of individuals willing to step up as the new lead fairy godmother(s) to guide the Cinderella Project of Maine into its next generation of success.

Interested parties should contact Tabitha Lowe at 338-6809 or visit the Cinderella Project of Maine.