Prom dress sale a success after flood destroys gowns
Chebucto Connections fundraiser helps low-income students finish high school
A Spryfield charity, which suffered a devastating flood, sold dozens of prom dresses Saturday after the community came to its rescue.
On Feb. 17, a flood destroyed the prom dresses that Chebucto Connections had been collecting to give and sell to students. Chebucto Connections runs Pathways to Education, a national course which helps low–income students finish their high school education.
Last year, the group started offering free prom dresses to participants to reward them for their accomplishments. After the flood, donations came in from businesses and people in the community. They collected 240 by Friday.
"It's hard to believe that something devastating has turned into something fantastic," said Shelly Currie, an organizer for Chebucto Connections.
"It was really our pleasure to do this."
Participants in the program picked out their gowns early Saturday afternoon, then the doors opened for any Halifax high school students to buy a dress for just $10.
"It's not a money making endeavour," said Currie. "We wanted to get prom dresses in the hands of young people and have them going to prom feeling comfortable and proud of the milestone they've achieved."
By the end of the day, 55 dresses had new owners. The program is so popular, Currie says they'll hold a second sale on March 21, and any remaining dresses will be donated to MADD Canada.