Colvin Cleaners' 'Gowns for Prom' moves to weekend to accommodate more students

Submitted

The Colvin Cleaners’ “Gowns for Prom” and “Coats for Kids” programs have grown so much, the 94-years-young, family-owned dry cleaners had to acquire a building in Kenmore to store the thousands of donations it receives annually.

Additionally, its 17th annual “Gowns for Prom” selection/distribution event has become so large it will be moved to one-half of the second-floor, massive event space in the Buffalo Convention Center. Moreover, the company heard from students, school officials and volunteers about their challenges to attend the event during the week, so it will now be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5, to better accommodate the 1,000-plus students who attend the event with their families.

Students must register for a time slot to select the gown of their dreams at no cost. Gowns will be displayed on racks, sorted by size, and volunteers will assist the students on the floor. There will also be 50 dressing rooms for students to try on the gowns. To register, visit www.gownsforprom.com and sign up for a time slot.

“Online slots work best for students, their school, and their parents or guardians,” Vice President Christopher Billoni said. “This way, every student has time to select a gown, ensuring they look and feel their best for one of the biggest days of their high school careers. We’re so proud to help so many students have the prom they deserve.”

“Over the years, we’ve heard from students who have sports practice or extracurricular activities during the school week,” he explained during a press conference Monday morning. “This year, we’ve moved the event to a full-day extravaganza so more students can attend. Plus, free parking in the city on the weekends better accommodates people looking to travel from throughout WNY.

“Lastly, we believe the time frame helps more families with working parents attend the event in the morning, afternoon or evening. We are excited our newly improved format will allow hundreds of students needing prom gowns to select the dress of their dreams at no cost.”

Colvin Cleaners Vice President Christopher Billoni is shown among the thousands of gowns in the new warehouse. (Photo courtesy of Colvin Cleaners)

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Throughout the year, Colvin Cleaners seek donations of gowns of all sizes and colors, purses and shoes, from which students can select. “Gowns for Prom” greatly needs gowns size 16 and larger. For a list of donation locations, visit www.gownsforprom.com.

Paul Billoni, President and CEO of Colvin Cleaners discussed the acquisition of the new building on Elmwood Avenue, a few blocks away from the company’s main plant.

“Our generous community donates so many items that we clean and distribute to those in need, that it became the right time for us to invest even more into the community we call home,” he said. “Our new building allows us expand our charitable programs, ‘Gowns for Prom’ and ‘Coats 4 Kids,’ so we can continue helping thousands of our neighbors every year.”

“Gowns for Prom” is supported by many community partners, including: The Allstate Foundation, Reeds Jenss, AAA of Western and Central New York, Native Pride Travel Plaza, Valu Home Centers, WNY Spinal Solutions, WNY Immediate Care, Junior League of Buffalo, and the Mafia Babes. This nonprofit program relies on donations and volunteers from throughout Western New York. The Allstate Foundation provides donation spaces at various Allstate offices throughout the year. Colvin Cleaners cleans, sorts and distributes the gowns at no cost to students in the WNY community.

Valu Home Centers, in its first season as a community partner, was extremely impressed with both programs.

“We are so proud to stand alongside you as a partner in the ‘Coats 4 Kids’ and ‘Gowns for Prom’ campaigns because we now see firsthand the positive impacts they have on thousands of Western New Yorkers. We are honored to play a small role in making that possible,” explained Sarah Lalama, public relations and social media coordinator at Valu Home Centers.

Christopher Billoni also announced the recently completed 28th annual “Coats 4 Kids” program distributed more than 20,000 winter coats and accessories through over 100 nonprofit agencies throughout WNY.

Colvin Cleaners President Paul Billoni and Amanda Kwaczala inspect gowns. (Photo courtesy of Colvin Cleaners)

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Colvin Cleaners was founded by Phil Billoni in 1931; his brothers, Tony and Santo, worked in the business for more than 50 years. Tony’s son, Paul, has worked there for 46 years, while his son, Christopher, and daughter, Erica (restoration manager), are the third-generation members of the family business. Colvin Cleaners is the only WNY dry cleaner using the environmentally friendly Green Earth cleaning solution. For more information, visit www.colvincleaners.com.

“The Colvin Cleaners’ mission has always been focused on helping our community through programs like this. Our goal for ‘Gowns for Prom’ remains the same: ‘To ensure every student finds the gown of their dreams for their prom.’ ”