The Princess Project
By Mayra, age 17, California
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
Each year many girls around the country find it difficult to pay for all the expenses prom brings during the months of April and May. Some girls who face financial problems are forced to stay home and not attend prom. However, since 2002, more than 7,000 girls in the Bay Area in California have received free prom dresses along with accessories from an organization called The Princess Project.
The Princess Project is dedicated to promoting self-confidence and individual beauty by providing new and donated prom dresses to girls who cannot afford to buy them. This organization has been like a fairy godmother to those in need. One Princess Project participant thanked the organization by saying, "Thanks wouldn't be enough. My parents REALLY couldn't do this for me, even if they wanted to. Thanks. I'd like to help other girls in my situation."
This tradition begins in March and takes place in San Francisco, East Bay, and Silicon Valley, all of which are located in California. To learn more about specific giveaway dates and times visit www.princessproject.org
The organization welcomes all high school girls who are in financial need of a prom dress. You don't need to have any sort of proof to qualify, but they do ask everyone to bring a valid high school ID. Here's the fun part - you simply walk in to the event empty-handed, and come right out with a dress, plus accessories!
Here's how it works:
Step 1:The day of the dress giveaway you bring your ID and go to the location of the event. (You can find out the date and location on the GET A DRESS page.) You check in once you're at the door, where you will receive a wristband with an appointment time on the same day.
Step 2:
When it's time for your appointment, you come back to the location (you can bring a guest with you), and a Princess Project Volunteer will walk you through their dress selection. There are a variety of sizes and different styles of dresses so there isn't any need to worry!
Step 3:
After selecting a dress and trying it on, a volunteer will help you find accessories from purses to tiaras to complete your princess look.
Step 4:
Once you're done, you grab a goodie bag assembled just for you from the Project Sponsors. You then can write any compliments or suggestions to help the organization improve its future events.
The Princess Project wants to know how your prom went, so they want everyone to keep in touch by email and even submit your stories and pictures to: diaries@princessproject.org
What if I already went to Prom?
If you are 18 and over you can still be a part of this amazing program by becoming a volunteer for this year's event!The 2008 events are as follows:
San Francisco Dress Giveaways: Saturday March 22 and 29
East Bay Dress Giveaways: Saturday March 15
Silicon Valley Boutiques: Saturday March 8, Sunday March 9, Wednesday March 12, Saturday March 15, and Sunday March 16
[I apologize that this article will not post until the April 1st issue of SDM, and also to those not living in the SF Bay area, but for some of you, remember this for next year! You may also want to show this article and website to people in your school and community. A great idea, huh?! - Stephanie Lynn]
Donate
If you cannot volunteer, but you still want to lend a hand, I suggest that you donate your old prom dress. I mean, it's better for it to bring a smile to another girl than for it to sit there in your closet! So what are you waiting for!?You can also make contributions that will help raise money to cover the expenses of the dresses. By visiting www.princessproject.org you can donate money, join their e-newsletter, watch their videos, buy supporting t-shirts, and also check out photos from some of the Princess Project participants!
Until next time, ladies, remember ... helping others only makes this world a better place to live!
With love, Mayra <3
