Cincinnati’s Non-Profit Kenzie’s CLOSET® Introduces Cincinnati Bengals Dhani Jones Designed Bow Tie

NFL Player and Cincinnati Bengals Linebacker Dhani Jones introduces a new 'Bow Tie-for-a-Cause' for Cincinnati, Ohio based nonprofit Kenzie’s CLOSET®. Kenzie’s CLOSET® outfits local financially-disadvantaged junior and senior girls for their high school prom. Dhani Jones was also included in a list published by Forbes Magazine in December of 2010 as one of world's "Best-Dressed Athletes."

Cincinnati, OH, March 20, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Kenzie’s CLOSET® has announced that proceeds from one of the newest bow ties in NFL player and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones’ collection of specially-designed bow ties for Jones’ ‘Bow Ties-for-a-Cause’ organization will benefit Kenzie’s CLOSET®.

The bow tie and a companion bow tie-themed sterling silver necklace were introduced at a special “Girls’ Night Out” event at Hyde Park Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. Proceeds from the new bow tie and necklace will immediately offset expenses for Kenzie’s CLOSET®. Both items are available through the Kenzie’s CLOSET® website -- www.kenziescloset.org -- and are priced at $57.00 matching Dhani Jones’ Cincinnati Bengals jersey number.

Kenzie’s CLOSET® is the unique Cincinnati, Ohio area non-profit organization that for the last six years has provided complete prom outfits for close to 600 local financially-disadvantaged high school junior and senior girls who have been referred to the organization by their teachers, principals and social service agencies.

Dhani Jones remarked at the bow tie launch that he hopes “the bow tie helps bring awareness to the mission and goals of the Kenzie’s CLOSET organization. It is so important.”

Brynne Coletti, founder and executive director of Kenzie’s CLOSET® has set a goal to meet the needs of 600 girls during the 2011 prom season. She remarked, “I am so energized by the continued support of the local public, school and business communities for the Kenzie’s CLOSET® mission.”

She continued, “The campaign for the new Dhani Jones-created bow tie and the companion necklace help energize our efforts and our volunteers.”

”We are only limited by our funds, our prom dress and accessories donations, and our number of volunteers. The requests to help students has grown every year, and we are turning over every leaf to ensure that no student referred to us this year is disappointed.”

Coletti clarified that the girls who are served during the spring season at Kenzie’s CLOSET® come from the area’s inner-city, suburban and rural schools and most have family household incomes of less than $22,000.

“There is just no way to describe the transformation of the girls’ self-image and excitement from the moment they walk into the doors and the time that they leave with their complete ‘Cinderella-type’ outfit,” said Coletti. “Some of the girls who have been served by Kenzie’s CLOSET® have returned to help as volunteers, and that has been especially rewarding.”

Each referred student is served by a personal assistant during their visit to the Kenzie’s CLOSET® boutique to help make their selection of prom dress, shoes, purse, jewelry, and wrap. Cincinnati's Appearance Plus Cleaners has donated dry cleaning services for many years to clean and press the new and gently-worn prom, bridesmaid, and cocktail dresses donated to Kenzie’s CLOSET®.

More than a third of the students who are outfitted at Kenzie’s CLOSET® need prom dresses that are in sizes 14 and up. Coletti explained that since the organization rarely receives donated dresses in those larger sizes, financial donations help make the dreams possible for students who need larger sizes.

Kenzie’s CLOSET® was named after Makena ‘Kenzie’ Anne Comisar, who was tragically killed in a single-car accident in 2002 before she was able to attend her senior prom. Kenzie was a student at St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, and was known for her big heart and generosity.

For information on how to volunteer; donate dresses and accessories, or donate financial support to Kenzie’s CLOSET®; or to purchase a bow tie or necklace to benefit the organization, please visit www.kenziescloset.org or call 513.533-PROM (513.533.7736). For media inquiries, contact Joanne Maly of Lincoln Maly Marketing in Cincinnati, Ohio at kenziesclosetmedia@gmail.com. Lincoln Maly Marketing is supporting the mission of Kenzie's CLOSET® through marketing and pr assistance.

About Kenzie’s CLOSET®: Kenzie’s CLOSET® is a non-profit Cincinnati, Ohio area organization that makes high school prom dresses and related accessories available to students who can’t afford them so that no young woman in Cincinnati will have to miss her prom because of family financial limitations. The Kenzie’s CLOSET® boutique in O’Bryonville (in Cincinnati, Ohio) houses the variety of dresses, shoes, shawls, purses and jewelry that the group has collected to give away. Students are treated like a princess for the day … attended by volunteers who help them make their selections at no cost. Kenzie’s CLOSET® expects to dress more than 600 girls for the 2011 prom season. For more information, visit www.kenziescloset.org or call 513.533-PROM. (513.533.7766).

About Lincoln Maly Marketing: Lincoln Maly Marketing is a Cincinnati, Ohio marketing, pr and corporate communications firm offering marketing, corporate communications, social media, PR and media relations and project management. Joanne Maly is principal strategist. www.LincolnMalyMarketing.com

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Contact
Kenzie's CLOSET®
Joanne Maly
513-533-7766
www.kenziescloset.org
Jane Dorger at Kenzie's CLOSET's office (513-533-7766) will also be happy to answer any media questions.
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