It’s the first time some have felt beautiful in their lives.
That is what the students tell Michelle Cherak, acting program manager with PLEA Community Services.
“To hear that it breaks your heart,” she said.
PLEA organizes Putting On The Glitz, which provides clothing and accessories for students to attend their high school graduation ceremonies.
Students in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are referred to the program by school counsellors and teachers, and those who take part are thankful.
They wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend grad ceremonies.
“For a lot of kids, they say that they are just not interested in going to their grad,” but Cherak asserts that, in reality, they just can’t afford to attend.
This year will be the fifth year for Putting On The Glitz, which takes place March 1.
That evening the students are matched with a volunteer ambassador who takes them around the event.
Girls can try on dresses and boys can try on suits. A professional seamstresses will be on hand to do minor alterations.
Once they have picked out their formal wear, along with accessories, they get their hair and makeup done by professional stylists and makeup artists.
Boys get free hair cuts.
The students also get free graduation photos, by a professional photographer, both in their formal wear and in a cap and gown.
Then they get to take everything home for the day of their graduation.
Last year, there were 25 girls and 15 boys who were referred to the program.
But the need is growing.
Cherak said PLEA is still looking for volunteer hairdressers and seamstresses. Cash donations are welcomed too.
“We do have a lot of fees involved with running the program,” said Cherak.
One is the cost of storage lockers.
“We have three and they have been great by giving us discounts, but we still need to pay some fees. It’s a pretty hefty price,” Cherak added.
Event organizers also need to hire movers for the racks of clothing.
“It’s a big undertaking.”
Most needed, Cherak said, are dresses, suits and accessories, especially plus-sized dresses and men’s shoes.
At the two dress drives last year, Cherak collected 50 dresses and is hoping to match that total this year.
The dress drives will take place on Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Haney Place Mall, and on Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Valley Fair Mall.
There will also be donation boxes at the drives. Donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.
If you can’t make it to either of the drives, you can contact Michelle at 604-476-2820 to make other arrangements.
“It does open it up for every kid to attend,” their graduations, said Cherak.
“And fit in with their peers because that’s what every kid wants.”
