Image by Madi Grant via Public FB group Fort McMurray Grad Donation - A Canadian group launched a donation group for graduating students who are evacuees
- The aim of the group is to collect dresses and suits for those who cannot afford it
- The group and its partner Prom Project will hold an event where evacuees can come to check out the donations
A crisis brings out the best in some people. These people, who happen to be Canadians, are doing their part to help out the Fort McMurray evacuees who were forced to leave their homes because of the devastating effects of the firestorm in the region.
One of these people is Beverly Proulx Bentley from Saskatoon. Her desire has been to provide dresses and suits for high school students who are graduating.
“This is something that they want to remember for the rest of their life. I wanted to be part of that, to give them the opportunity to feel good about themselves,” Proulx Bentley explained to CBC News.
Proulx Bentley is a recent member of the public Facebook group called Fort McMurray Grad Donation. The group’s aim is to collect dresses as donations for the graduating students who are evacuees. In only a week, Proulx Bentley had received over 50 donations of graduation dresses. It was an overwhelming feat for her, especially since some of the dresses even came with handwritten, heartfelt notes from its owners.
“I hope this makes you feel like a princess. Work it. Twirl it and have fun,” Proulx Bentley cited one note to CBC News.
More dresses seem to be on their way but she had to stop receiving them because there were that many. However, accessories for women and formal wear for men are still accepted because they’re hard to come by and people usually rent them.
Remaining outfits that will not be used will be donated to the Prom Project and other organizations who share similar goals.
“It’s basically going to be an open shop dress-fitting for students. They can all come out and shop and pick out what they like and hopefully leave happy and excited,” Tarin Whyte, administrator for the Fort McMurray Grad Donation Facebook page, said.
Whyte reported that as of Saturday, over 1,000 dresses have already been donated.
“Within a couple of days, all of a sudden we’re up to 2,000 members from all across Canada offering [donations]. We were just overwhelmed,” she said.
She explained that Fort McMurray evacuees will be able to pick an attire at an event to be held on May 29, in Leduc, Alta, the southern region of Edmonton. The group, along with its partner, the Prom Project, will host the event.
Michaela Lathlin, one of the Facebook group’s administrators, expressed her admiration for the graduating students.
“Those grads have worked their butts off for 13 years. Of course we’re going to do everything and anything to give them a well deserved celebration,” she said.
Donations or inquiries regarding them can be addressed in the Fort McMurray Grad Donation page.
Post a Comment