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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.