The CAMROSE BOOSTER, September 5, 2017 – Page 8
Princess Project grants fairy tale wishes for grads in need By Lori Larsen Many high school girls start dreaming of their graduation dresses as soon as they enter Grade 9. The frills, the flounce, the fabric the fanfare. But for some the cost may be something that stands in the way of that dream. The Princess Project is a not-for-profit organization founded by Camrose Outreach School principal Laura Swanson that provides graduation dresses to grads in Camrose and area who might not otherwise be able to afford the sometimes expensive cost of purchasing one. “I realized we had girls at our school (Camrose Outreach School) who were accessing Cinderella’s Closet (notfor-profit organization that accepts donated grad dresses to give to those in need) up in Edmonton,” said Camrose Outreach School principal Laura Swanson. “I began to realize there is a need for this and if our school has a need then I am pretty sure that every high school has a need. People get a grad dress and wear it once then they hang them in a closet and likely never use them again.” Princess Project is a great opportunity to donate those unused grad dresses and not only free up some space in your closet but feel the gratitude of giving something to someone who will sincerely appreciate the gesture. The urgency to create a similar organization in Camrose became more apparent after Laura spoke with some local business people during a meeting for Downtown Camrose. “I was talking with someone about working at Camrose Outreach School what it is like, the needs of the students and ways people could help. Because it was grad season I was talking about Cinderella’s Closet and that our students (girls) were accessing that and how it would be great if we had something like that in Camrose.” “Tish (from Tish’s Fashions & Finery) said if I was willing to run the organization and find a location she had some dresses she would donate to get me started.” After inquiring with other organizations in Camrose to secure a location for the organization, Laura was gifted another donation from Tish. “The day I came to pick up the dresses in July, Tish brought me down to the basement below her shop, and we started gathering the dresses. Tish then offered the basement area as the location for this project, at least for the first year.” With that Laura was able to begin setting up the area, arranging racks of dresses, dedicating a fitting area, decorating and placing signage. “Staples in Camrose donated all of my signage, my wall decal and everything I needed in that respect, which has been huge,” said Laura. Through word of mouth dress donations have been coming in rapidly. “I have literally, in six weeks, gone from having nothing to everything, my signage, a location, lots of dresses. I am set up and ready to go for this fall and for this grad season,” Laura said with a great degree of excitement and gratitude to all the dress donors, Tish and Staples. Laura will be meeting the candidates for dresses at Princess Project, located between Tish’s and the empty lot beside the Provincial Building on the east side of 50 Street. To ensure dresses are available to grads who need them, a process has been put into place. “The school that the student is attending is required to write a letter indicating the student is in need and deserving of this opportunity,” explained Laura. After the letters of support have been looked over and approved the student will be required to set up an appointment to come to Princess Project to select a dress. Laura encourages the grads to bring along their mothers or others and enjoy the whole experience of trying on and picking out a beautiful dress. As a show of appreciation for the kind donation of dresses Laura will be taking a photo (with permission of the recipient) of the grad in her selected dress and sending a thank you note along with the photo to the donor. “I think it would be nice to know their dress was chosen and went to someone who really needed it.” Princess Project accepts dresses (long or short) befitting of graduation ceremonies in all sizes, colours and styles that are clean and in good repair and will also accept fashion accessories such as jewelry, handbags (clutches) and tiaras or other special occasion hairpieces, but no shoes. “I am also looking for women who are handy with a needle and thread,” smiled Laura. “Somebody who is willing to donate services for alterations.” Looking around the shop at the exquisite display of dresses and wonderful way Laura has turned the space into a charming boutique setting, one can not help but feel the same excitement Laura feels to be doing something special for those in need. To make an appointment or donation contact Laura via email at princessprojectcamrose@gmail.com.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Founder of Princess Project Laura Swanson holds up a couple of the amazing dresses received through donations.
Open Door Fall Gala fun affair
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Open Door executive director Jessica Hutton and staff member Alison Bortolon get a sneak peek at some of the locker contents for the Open Door Gala Storage Wars game.
By Lori Larsen Set aside September 23 as an evening to remember. Camrose Open Door Association invites Camrose and area residents to join them at the 2017 Fall Gala to be held at the Best Western Plus Camrose Resort and Casino. Starting with champagne at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. the evening promises to be a stylish affair that includes the entertainment of the Calgary Dueling Pianos. “Camrose Open Door Association is so excited about the Fall Gala,” said Open Door executive director Jessica Hutton. “It is promising to be spectacular, with many unique activities during the evening. “This year, the live auction will include a storage wars theme…so everyone should be prepared to have a little fun!” Tickets are available by telephoning 780-679-6803 or coming into The Open Door. For more information email camroseopendoor. com. The Camrose Open Door Association welcomes sponsorship for businesses or individuals for the Gala.