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Saskatoon, Through the Eyes of a Princess Shop Volunteer

posted by The Princess Shop    |   August 4, 2019 19:39

Written by Bailey Woloshyn.

Approaching the fourth and final year of my Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Saskatchewan, I was eager to find a way to get involved in Saskatoon for the last eight months that I would live there. Having spent most of my degree driving from my hometown to Saskatoon on Mondays and back home again on Thursdays, my time spent in the city had been quite limited up until my fourth year. I wanted to change this by becoming active in the community and spending some time volunteering, even if it would be only for a short period. I came across an ad for The Princess Shop and was instantly intrigued by the Fairy Godmother Program since it was similar to mentoring I had done with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the past. After visiting The Princess Shop’s Facebook page, website, and learning more about the organization, I decided to apply. Due to the short-term duration of my commitment to The Princess Shop, Karen Robson, the previous Executive Director, and I decided that a Volunteer Representative position would be ideal as I could contribute to as many parts of the organization that I could manage. While I expected my time with TPS to be exciting and benefit the community, I did not anticipate all of the spectacular experiences that it would lead to for me!  

Here are some of the wonderful places I would never have visited if it wasn’t for The Princess Shop: 

  • Amigos, for The Princess Shop’s Trivia Night (and delicious nachos!) 
  • Sports On Tap, for the Steak Lunch Fundraiser where we watched the Rider Game and enjoyed a fantastic meal 
  • Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival at the Delta Bessborough, representing TPS in an excellent fundraising opportunity

  

  • The Saskatoon Farmers Market for the Fourth Annual Dress It Up Cupcake Contest 
  • Hilberg & Berk at the Midtown Plaza, for their International Women's Day Reception 
  • The Homestyles Home Show at Prairieland Park where TPS volunteers sold 50/50 tickets as a fundraiser 
  • TCU Place, for the 12th Annual Glass Slipper Benefit for Princesses  
  • Wet Paint Pottery, for our team Glass Slipper Windup  
 
  • Countless Saskatoon and area businesses to drop off requests, pick up donations, and meet our supporters, as well as phone calls to businesses around the province where I was able to introduce owners and managers to TPS and find new donation opportunities  
  • And of course, The Princess Shop, where I was a part of countless meetings, dress appointments, Glass Slipper planning, training, and spending time in office.  

Being part of The Princess Shop allowed me to not only become part of the community in which I lived, but to experience the beautiful city of Saskatoon in a different way! Every week, I was able to see more of the city, meet people who amazed me with their generosity and support, and learned the true meaning of ‘community’ through volunteerism by working towards creating an enhanced graduation experience for all of the beautiful graduates who allow TPS into their lives.  

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I had with TPS and without a doubt, I recommend volunteering with this fantastic organization. The volunteer team, led by the Executive Director, is a dedicated, supportive group of women and I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside these inspiring individuals for eight months. Although I have moved away from Saskatoon and had to move on from The Princess Shop, my time there has left a lasting impression on me. Being part of TPS allowed me so many cool opportunities and I want people to realize it isn't just time-consuming work to volunteer, its also your ticket to experience so many great events while helping out! I am ecstatic to watch this organization grow and change, and I cannot wait to see how far it goes!  

The Princess Shop's 2019 Bucket-List

posted by The Princess Shop    |   February 25, 2019 19:55

Res·o·lu·tion

/,rezǝ’looSH(ǝ)n/

A firm decision to do or not to do something. 

Most people's January to-do lists mention the idea of a New Year's Resolution. They might work hard on these ideas throughout the year, meet some, change some, or just put them off for the following year's list. This word "resolution", however, is so set on the idea of being able to firmly commit to something and for that idea to then just magically come true. We all want that "law of attraction" to be real, but there's more to it than just that. By this point in the year, most people have come to this conclusion already. We need to work on our goals with a plan of action in place and the proper support systems helping us out. We have many magical ideas that we're always dreaming up, but their ability to actualize depends on so many factors, such that perhaps they fall into a category of their own; a bucket-list of sorts. At the end of 2018, one of the activities The Princess Shop volunteer team went through was drafting up a bucket-list of our own:

Heidi's Bucket List:

  1. Broad awareness about The Princess Shop - it's more than just a dress. It's true! Our Next Chapter and Fairy Godmother programs offer so many life-changing opportunities!
  2. Every graduate should know The Princess Shop is an option and that they don’t need to struggle alone. 
  3. The Fairy Godmother Program could gain more matches that sustain into the future. 
  4. There should be more applicants to all scholarship opportunities as well as a greater variety of scholarships to give out!
  5. The Princess Shop should have a larger volunteer team

Bailey:

  1. Recruit a full team of volunteers by April. 
  2. Record the number of graduates every year. 
  3. Have more rural graduates in the program.

Sarah:

  1. Have more graduates than in 2018. 
  2. Fill all volunteer positions.
  3. Reach goals for the 12th Annual Glass Slipper Benefit for Princesses.
  4. Dream up and organize more fundraising events with a greater turnout.
  5. Have volunteers put in more cumulative hours.

These goals of ours may not be met just by us wishing them into existence, but with continuous action, we hope to see them born into reality. On top of these ideas and our plans, we have a wonderful support system that acts as the final piece of the puzzle working towards The Princess Shop's success - that's you! This all happens because of the people upholding a commitment to this journey with us; volunteers, sponsors, alumni, and everyone working hard for The Princess Shop's success creates an environment of growth and constant improvement. These thoughts are echoed in the volunteers’ bucket-list wishes when they recognize the need for more volunteers and funds - essentially, the need for even more assistance. Many hands indeed make light work and the greater our community, the better!

It is with these goals in mind and with gratitude for the support we receive in our hearts that we move forward into this year. We hope to create some magical memories this year.

My Year Volunteering at The Princess Shop

posted by The Princess Shop    |   December 29, 2018 10:32

Written by Heidi Anderson

I am very grateful for the volunteer position that I was given the opportunity to have over the past year at The Princess Shop. 

In December 2017, I was looking for a consistent volunteer commitment that I could take on that would be of a benefit to my community.  When I first heard about The Princess Shop I was interested in the idea that they are helping women in need and being apart of reducing and reusing grad dresses. Reducing and reusing are two concepts that I try and follow in my personal life. I love art and expression, but I feel like we live in an overly commercialized culture filled with so much stuff.  On further inspection I learned about the rest of the programs – it is so much more than a dress. If a graduate uses The Dress Program they gain access to other programs and attendance at the main events. There is The Dress Program, The Next Chapter Program and The Fairy Godmother Program. The full name of The Princess Shop is The Princess Shop Mentorship and Female Youth Development Inc. The Princess Shop mission is to create an enhanced graduation experience for female-identified students in need, and provide them with mentorship, support, and the tools to pursue success after graduation. 

My first meeting was overwhelming, and it took awhile to understand everything that The Princess Shop does, what was expected of me, and how the organization is run.  It takes a lot for this organization to run effectively. Thankfully, the rest of the volunteers and Karen Robson the executive director were patient and understanding. They were also able to adapt with me as I went through some life changes like a work scheduling change. I felt supported by these women and that they wanted what was best for me. This was a refreshing change as in many avenues in my life I have felt a sense of rivalry from my female peers.  I felt as if my volunteer contributions were appreciated! As women we should be all be trying to encourage one another and build each other’s self esteem. Empowered women empower women.

I took on the position of the Fairy Godmother Program Coordinator. I felt this was the right fit for me as I have an interest in and a background in education.  The Fairy Godmother Program is a mentorship program and it was sponsored by TD. An interested princess graduate is partnered up with a woman in the community that wants to be a mentor to a princess graduate. All the participants were interviewed and matched into pairs. These women keep in touch throughout each month. They are also expected to attend monthly activities that are put on from September to March. This season we have had a lawn games activity, a pumpkin painting activity, a skin care workshop with local business Green Tree Beauty, and a holiday party so far.

 

It was great to see the connections made!  Mentorship is a learning opportunity for the mentee and the mentor. Even though attendance was a struggle at times for the participants, it didn’t take away from the value of the program. It was clear that it was making a difference for the people who were apart of it. Having the program as an option available for those that want to utilize it, is a value in and of its self. Having someone that supports you and is your cheer leader in life is so important for your personal growth. Imagine never having that and then getting the opportunity to have that!  I love that each season past matches can continue to be apart of the program. My wish for the Fairy Godmother Program is that it grows. If you want to be a role model in a princess graduate’s life, please apply to be a Fairy Godmother as The Princess Shop will be seeking new fairy godmothers to join the program next season. 

The Dress Program

Being at dress choosing appointments, it is interesting to see all the sorts of people that use The Dress Program and what their style preferences are. The participants are encouraged to choose something that interests them. At The Princess Shop there is so many styles of dresses, shoes and accessories to choose from and you are encouraged to be you. I really liked complimenting the ladies when they found a dress and seeing how appreciative they were for the experience. My favorite comment from a graduate when choosing a dress and accessories was, “I feel like Beyonce.” 

 Graduation Days

On the graduation day it is a very busy and exciting time! The graduates can have their hair and makeup done and get professional photos taken.  Seeing the graduates light up is very rewarding for all involved. My favorite moment on a grad day was watching an elderly lady who was about to graduate and she brought her son with her.  She explained that over the years she wasn’t often able to make herself a priority and was very nervous for graduation. As she was done up and went to pictures, you could see the confidence in herself build. 

The Perfectly Pink Appreciation BBQ

The BBQ is a great time to gather with all the princess shop participants, their families and supporting community members. We had such a great turn out this year and almost all the food was eaten! There was even a bouncy castle for the children.  During the BBQ the recipients of the scholarships from the next chapter program were announced! This BBQ has been sponsored by a Fairy Godmother Kari Calder of Kari Calder Realty for a very long time which provides the opportunity for Princess Graduates and their families to attend at no cost.

The Next Chapter Program

The Next Chapter Program is The Princess Shop’s scholarship program. What I really appreciate about the Next Chapter Program is that it doesn’t matter how many years ago you utilized the dress program, you are still able to apply for the scholarships! If The Princess Shop exists, a past Dress Program participant is able to apply to those scholarships. There are so many great scholarship opportunities and learning workshops offered through the program. At the Glass Slipper Benefit this year a scholarship opportunity was bid on and $9,300 was raised! 

The Glass Slipper Benefit for Princesses presented by K+S Potash Canada

The Glass Slipper Benefit is the largest fundraiser event put on by The Princess Shop. Lots of work is put into this event and planning begins very early on every year. Sponsors and silent auction items are gathered from all around our community. It is very inspiring listening to the speeches given at the gala by past princess graduates explaining how the princess shop has impacted their life.  

If you are interested in going to the Glass Slipper Benefit, it is best to get your ticket early as it saves you money.

There are many fundraising events that are put on all year round by The Princess Shop like the upcoming cupcake contest held on January 29th of this year during the Nutrien WinterShines Festival. The Cupcake Contest is where bakers compete by creating a cupcake modeled off a dress from The Princess Shop and guests get to judge and decide what cupcake was their favorite. It’s only $10 to attend and sample all of the cupcakes.  The Princess Shop is always interested in different creative fundraising ideas, so they can continue to have the funds to run. 

Unfortunately, I cannot continue as the Fairy Godmother Coordinator as I will be moving out of the city and have travel plans in 2019. I will however continue to show support in the ways that I can. The Princess Shop is always seeking help in many ways from small to large commitments. Please reach out and contact them if you want to contribute in any way. 

I am approaching ten years since I graduated high school. At that time, I really did not see that much significance on the day of graduation. I viewed it in many ways just like any other day and that graduating high school wasn’t that big of a deal. As I have lived my life for the past ten years and reflected, I have seen the value in celebrating positive moments and successes in life. Life is simply too short not to celebrate.  

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The Princess Shop Sponsors
The Princess Shop Sponsors
The Princess Shop Sponsors
The Princess Shop Sponsors
The Princess Shop
our location
12 - 1622 Ontario Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7K 1S8
t: 306-222-3311

Store Hours for Dress Returns & Donations:
Monday: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00pm

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