A drive to collect formal wear for students graduating this year is coming up.
PLEA Community Services will be collecting formal wear for women and men and all the accessories to go with it on Wednesday, Dec. 17, for their program Putting on the Glitz.
“Putting on the Glitz is a community driven event that provides local high school students from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with graduation attire and creates an event where students can feel celebrated and ready to commemorate this milestone,” explained Kat Sergeeva, training and events coordinator with PLEA.
“Putting on the Glitz is truly a special celebration because it ensures every graduating student, regardless of financial barriers, gets to feel valued, confident and celebrated on their milestone day,” she said.
Last year between 50 to 60 students took part in Putting on the Glitz, where they could pick out a graduation outfit and accessorize it. There were also hair stylists on site, tailors, and a professional photographer who provided the students with grad photos.
Sergeeva said they are anticipating possibly even more students who need their help this year.
Although they are in need of all formal wear, they always struggle with men’s attire, and are hoping to get donations of suits and tuxedos, shirts, ties, and men’s shoes, added Sergeeva.
This year will be the event’s 16th year in the community and it will be taking place on Tuesday, March 17.
Sergeeva shared that one of the most meaningful parts of the event is watching students arrive shy and unsure of themselves as they go through the process of picking out their outfits, having them tailored, having their hair and makeup done, and then posing for photos.
“By the time they leave they are glowing and beaming with pride,” said Sergeeva.
The formal wear drive is taking place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at ValleyFair Mall, at the corner of 227 Street and Lougheed Highway.
It is one of two donation drives being held for the program.
The second one will be held in February.
The event is being organized by PLEA and the Kiwanis Club of Golden Ears.