Greetings, fellow Oak Lawnians, and Happy New Year!
I hope Christmas and New Year’s were extra special for your families.
As we welcome the new year, I hope you keep in mind that other families may not be as fortunate as yours. But you can make a difference for someone else, and here’s one opportunity: Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, will be accepting donations of gently used formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, hair accessories and unopened makeup through Feb. 12 for its annual Cinderella’s Closet program.
Maria Vanderwarren, assistant to Principal Michael Riordan; Kate Mellone, a special-ed teacher, and other members of the school’s parent-teacher-student association are overseeing the program from start to finish, including set-up the night before and the day it opens.
“We’re down to one rack (of dresses), so we definitely are in need of more,” Vanderwarren said. “The program is geared toward prom, but we also need graduation or party-style dresses, too.”
Donations can be dropped off at the high school in Room 123 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days.
The Cinderella’s Closet boutique will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 13 at the school. Dresses or shoes can be purchased for just $10 per item. Vanderwarren said some dresses still have the original price tags on them, an indication they have never even been worn.
The program is designed to help offset prom expenses for students and their families. It enables students who otherwise might not be able to afford it attend prom.
Proceeds will help fund the use of a bus for the Students Against Destructive Decisions post-prom party.
If you cannot drop items off during the designated hours, other arrangements can be made by contacting Vanderwarren at 708-741-5602 or by emailing [email protected].
‘Celebrity’ announcements
Here are our “celebrity” announcements: Happy birthday to Makayla Henry, who’s turning 11, from her parents, Mike and Jen; brothers, Will and Ryan; Grandma Pat; Aunt Donna and Fenway. Happy 12th birthday to Brooke Zwartz, from her parents, Debbie and Dan, Blake, Dylan and family. Happy 12th birthday wishes go out to Sunny Petzel and Brandy Turek.
Benjamin Hudy’s family wish him a happy 13th birthday. Ella Errant wishes her granddaughter, Tessa, a happy 13th birthday. Birthday wishes also go out to Tessa’s dad, Kenny, who’s turning 46, from Katrina, their children and family. Sweet 16th birthday wishes go out to Hanna Harris, from her family. Happy 20th birthday to Nick Erdakos, from his family.
Happy 18th birthday to Angelica Cohen, from her family. John Sasala’s parents and sister, Michelle, wish him a happy 23rd birthday. Happy birthday to Emily Goetz, who’s turning 30, from her parents, Janet and Bill. Aggie Mark sends birthday wishes to her daughter, Nancy Ferrucci, and granddaughter, Lisa Fox. Happy birthday to Deborah Michicich, from Kevin, Sam, Anna and her family.
Birthday wishes go out to Sharon Barsevick Siple, from her husband, Mark, Zachary and family. Happy birthday to Linda Walrath, from her children, Dan and Jennifer. Birthday greetings go out to Brian Anderson. Chris Augle’s family wish him a happy birthday. Patrick Petzel’s family wish him a happy birthday.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community. Call me at (708) 899-9544 or email me at the address above.
Until next time …
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Cheryl Petzel is a freelance writer who covers the Oak Lawn community for the Daily Southtown.