Some of the donations Prince George Dress Dreams has received in its bid to brighten prom for local teens

Prince George, BC – Mandy Paavola believes senior prom is a rite of passage that no local teen should miss out on…

"You’ve worked hard to graduate from high school – you should get to have fun and get into a pretty dress and feel beautiful," says the Prince George woman, who worked as a make-up artist in the Vancouver film industry before returning to the city to raise her family. 

While in Vancouver, Paavola volunteered for the Cinderella Project, an organization that outfits less fortunate teens with all the glamour and glitz needed to attend their high school prom.  Unable to find a similar program here, Paavola and some very dedicated friends and volunteers decided to launch Prince George Dress Dreams.

Last year, she says six deserving teens were nominated to take part in the first-ever local event.  This year, it’s hoped as many as 20 girls could benefit from what’s becoming Paavola’s passion. (photo at right, courtesy PG Dress Dreams)

Today, city residents are being invited to donate dresses that would be suitable for a 2013 grad and any and all accessories, from shoes to wraps, to handbags and jewellery at the Shhhh boutique on Westwood Drive between 11am and 1pm.

Paavola says nominations come from teachers, counsellors, student aid workers and leaders from outreach programs like the Elizabeth Fry’s Teen Mom program.  She says one young woman already accepted to receive a gown this year lives with her mom and younger siblings and is working two jobs while going to school to contribute to the family.  The young woman’s mom was in tears when she learned that her daughter would have an entire outfit provided for prom.

"I still get emails from some of the girls that I did make-up on (in Vancouver)," says Paavola.  "I know that I’ve touched people’s lives by showing them the kindness that a stranger can show – what I hope the girls take from this is, is that they pay it forward, do something for someone else that’s unexpected."

Paavola is working to host a ‘Dream Day’ sometime in March that’s even bigger and better than last year – the day when the girls get to come ‘shopping’ for their dress and accessories.  She’s hoping to make it ‘an event’, complete with music, hair and make-up, and the opportunity to have a glamorous grad portrait. 

The Prince George Dress Dreams founder says a number of local businesses have been so generous with their support, including: Shhh, Forever Florists in the Hart, the Entertainment Group, and Vanishing Laser Esthetics.  Paavola is hoping to lock down a venue for the event and is also looking for make-up artists, hair stylists and photographers who might be willing to volunteer their time.  Anyone wanting more information can contact Paavola at pgdressdreams@yahoo.ca or by clicking here.