With the stress of prom night on the horizon for graduating Central Okanagan Grade 12 students, a volunteer effort to provide a lifeline is extended for those needing support for their big celebration.

The annual Boutique Day put on by the Proud for Prom program will be held Saturday, March 2, at Quigley Elementary School, 705 Kitch Rd., in 琉璃神社.

Boutique Day is the culmination of a mission by the Proud for Prom organizing core committee of 12 people, supported by a further 60 volunteers on Boutique Day, to ensure every student has the opportunity to experience their high school prom regardless of their financial circumstances.

鈥淥ur team of volunteers and community sponsors brings this vision to life, by providing a boutique experience for students to select the perfect gown, suit and accessories,鈥� said Judie Loveridge-Marks, who co-f0unded the Boutique Day project in 2019 with her mom Brenda.

The inaugural year helped 32 students get ready for prom, and this year 58 students have pre-registered for Boutique Day with still room for others to pre-register.

鈥淟ast year we had 40 students we helped and this year we anticipated more with the cost of everything rising,鈥� said Loveridge-Marks, the coordinator for the international student and English language learner programs at Rutland Senior Secondary.

鈥淏ut we have a large inventory of over 650 gowns ranging in size from zero to 26 and suit packages for the boys which have been paid for through donations and partnerships with our business supporters.鈥�

For example, Torino/Ritz Clothing in the Mission provides a $300 suit, shoe and tie package for boys which is covered by Proud for Prom donations.

For Boutique Day, Loveridge-Marks says a volunteer will walk each student through the process, leaving them feeling positive about their preparations for what is likely the most important event of their young lives.

鈥淚t is a wonderful feeling to see the relief of the students as they walk out the door after going through the Boutique Day process,鈥� she said.

Any Grade 12 student in the school district, public or private school, can pre-register for Boutique Day by going to the www.proudforprom.com website, or to seek more information email proudforprom@gmail.com.

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