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Colvin Cleaners 'Gowns for Prom' postponed; donations still sought

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Fri, Mar 20th 2020 05:25 pm

Distribution at Shea’s Performing Arts Center affected by COVID-19 pandemic

From Colvin Cleaners:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the 15th annual Colvin Cleaners “Gowns for Prom” distribution event is postponed until further notice.

The original dates were April 7-9 on the stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center; however, with schools closed until at least mid-April, the company is adhering to mandates set down by government leaders.

“Over the course of the last few weeks, our WNY community has been experiencing dramatic changes due to the coronavirus COVID-19 situation unfolding in our region and beyond. The safety of these students and everyone in our community is our greatest concern, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this epidemic – it is truly unprecedented,” said Paul A. Billoni, president and CEO of Colvin Cleaners. “For all the students who look forward to their proms, we regret having to make this announcement and we look forward to giving them a positive update soon.”

During this difficult time, Colvin Cleaners is remaining dedicated to the community. It’s asking people take time, while they are at home and practicing social distancing, to think of those in need, clean out their closets, and make a donation to “Gowns for Prom” or “Coats 4 Kids.”

Additionally, any other garments can be donated via Colvin Cleaners’ free pick-up and delivery service (716-873-2952). Colvin Cleaners will donate through its relationships with Goodwill of WNY, the Friends of the Night People organization, or any of the other 20-plus nonprofits it works with.

“Now is not the time to abandon our community; it is the time to come together,” said Chris Billoni, vice president of Colvin Cleaners. “We want our community to know we have a system in place via our free pick-up and delivery service to come and pick up laundry or items to clean without any human interaction. This is great for elderly folks, parents at home with kids, or people who just won’t have time to take care of day to day needs like the washing of their bedding.

“And even though ‘Gowns for Prom’ is postponed, the Colvin Cleaners team will be out in the community doing what we can to ensure WNY makes it through this serious health epidemic.”

“Gowns for Prom,” presented by The Allstate Foundation and supported by Reeds Jenss and Shea’s Performing Arts Center, will continue to collect gently used or new gowns at participating Allstate locations or at Colvin Cleaners, 2375 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore. For a list of complete donation locations, visit www.gownsforprom.com/donation-location. The Colvin Cleaners’ free pick-up and delivery customers can donate by leaving donations with their regular garments and marking them “Gowns for Prom.”

Students and school officials are encouraged to visit the Colvin Cleaners social media outlets or its website for updates about “Gowns for Prom” distribution event and when it may be rescheduled.

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