Management Retiring, Belle of the Ball Shutting Down Operations Following Prom Season 2020
Assets not retained will be given to other student support organizations
Some of the 3,000 dresses at Belle of the Ball`s Clearwater boutique
Managers of Belle of the Ball Project are retiring.The organization has been in an unsuccessful 3-year search for a local organization to assume the operation. As no organization has come forward, Belle of the Ball Project plans to cease operations following prom season 2020.
The well-known local charity has given out more than 7,000 homecoming and prom dresses to needy girls from 17 Florida counties since 2003.Belle of the Ball has also provided approximately 6,000 dresses to other organizations, such as churches conducting Tim Tebow “Night to Shine” event in Gainesville, Ocala, Trinity, Tampa, Plant City, Lakeland, Bradenton and Englewood,, Gathering of Women Princess Project in St. Petersburg, Polk Prom Project, Pasco Cinderellas Closet Citrus Cinderellas Closet,Sumter Cinderellas Closet, Hernando Education Foundation, and 5 area high schools. Belle of the Ball would no longer supply dresses to these type organizations
The retiring managers are Susan Schwartz, CEO and Founder of Belle of the Ball, and Joe Marteski, Chief Operating Officer.
During the unsuccessful 3-year search for a local organization to assume the operation, Belle of the Ball contacted Clothes to Kids, Starting Right, Now, CFW Clearwater, Homeless Empowerment Project, Girls Inc., and three YMCA associations in Clearwater, Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Belle of the Ball is hopeful a capable organization will still step forward to serve the students of our area. Contact Joe Marteski at joemarteski@live.com for a prospectus.
Most assets of Belle of the Ball Project will be offered to an appropriate new operator to provide homecoming, prom and military ball dresses to needy students. Similar organizations in the United States are operated by School Boards, Education Foundations, Professional Agencies, Rotary Clubs, YWCA`s, YMCA`s, Women’s Clubs and other organizations.