Gowns of generosity: Over 100 prom dresses donated at N.B. high school
The generosity of several New Brunwickers will help ease the financial pressure of attending prom next month.
Lori Pellerin made a post on social media asking for donations of prom dresses. Pellerin, a teacher at Fundy High School in St. George, N.B., is well aware how the high cost of a prom gown is an annual barrier.
"There are definitely some students whose families are going to find it more of a financial struggle than others," says Pellerin, adding the burden has likely never been greater.
Cheryl DesRoches of Shediac, N.B., saw Pellerin’s post and immediately joined the effort to collect gowns in her area. DesRoches says she understands the feeling of growing up and going without.
"A lot of people helped me," says DesRoches. "So that’s the one thing I’ll never forget, the people who helped me when I was going through hard times."
DesRoches hand delivered a majority of the dresses from her area to Fundy High on Monday morning, while others were donated in the Charlotte County area.
The initial goal of collecting a few dresses was eclipsed when about 120 were put on display in the school’s theatre.
"I didn’t think it was going to be that much," says DesRoches. "But I think a lot of people know how times are hard now and how everything is expensive."
Some of the dresses still have a store tag attached.
"I’m guessing some of them are still brand new because of cancelled proms in 2020," says Pellerin.
The variety and sheer number of gowns collected will allow students from other area schools to benefit as well. The dress campaign is also becoming an unexpected part of the curriculum at Fundy High.
"Some of our students, as a special interest project or credit, are going to put together a webpage," says Pellerin. "They’re going to categorize everything, take pictures, sizes, and we’ll have a web page we’ll be able to share with all the schools in the district."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.