Cinderella Project:Dreams do come true!

New Port Richey, Florida - Almost every girl dreams of being Cinderella. The fairy tale of a young woman transformed into a princess by a fairy godmother and a beautiful dress. That dream and dress are now reality for local teens in need.

The Cinderella Project is a boutique of sorts where deserving girls can shop for the prom dress of their choice, free of charge.

High School Senior Samantha Stead is shopping for her prom dress. "It makes me feel pretty and excited and I really, really like it!" Stead says of a black, floor-length, lace gown, "This is it! This is mine. I'm taking it home with me!"

The donated dresses are nearly new or brand new, many with tags still attached. Jessica Tagerson, a high school junior, says, "It's the main thing. You gotta have your hair done and you've gotta have a dress." Tagerson's mom is shopping with both her daughters. "Beautiful dresses! Whoever donated them, that was a wonderful cause. It's helping us out, especially with 2 girls, I could never afford to buy 2 dresses for my daughters"

A pair of fairy godmothers oversee the staff of volunteers who work with each girl to pick not just a dynamite dress, but the matching shoes, jewelry and purse for prom.

Alison Crumbley is one of the "fairy godmothers". She says, "We try to put together the right outfit for them, that suits them so they'll feel good about themselves the night of their prom."

Does the right dress really make a difference? The smile on Senior Jessica Bentivegna's face, straight out of the fitting room, is all the answer you need. "This is the dress! (How do you know?) Cause it looks awesome (laughter)! I like it! I like it a lot!"

Jessica's mom, Susie, is smiling, too. "She's gorgeous. There's a lot of beautiful dresses, but it's a great thing. A lot of the girls can't get a dress and I think it's awesome!" For Jessica, a mermaid style, sequined gown in a gorgeous shade of purple is her dream come true. "I feel like Cinderella!"

The Cinderella Project will be open Saturday, April 26 from 10 AM - 1 PM. The New Port Richey location is at 3401 Town Avenue. The Dade City location is at the Calvary Assembly of God Church on the Highway 98 Bypass. For more information, call 727-858-1281. If you'd like to make a donation, dresses can be dropped off during school hours at any Pasco County High School.

The Prince Charming Project offers free tuxedo rentals to Pasco County High School boys who qualify. Young men who are interested in the project should contact their high school guidance counselor.