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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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A New Record: Three Scholarships Raised at Glass Slipper Benefit for the First Time Ever

posted by The Princess Shop    |   April 9, 2018 11:06

What an amazing evening! On Thursday, April 5, The Princess Shop celebrated our 11th Annual Glass Slipper Benefit for Princesses presented by K+S Potash Canada at TCU Place in Saskatoon. The Glass Slipper Benefit is our biggest fundraiser, and one of the most important nights of the year for our program. This is just one of the reasons why we have such gratitude for our amazing list of sponsors. Without the help of these sponsors, this evening wouldn't be possible. Without further ado, we'd like to take a minute to thank the following: To our title sponsor, K + S Potash Canada, our entertainment sponsor Orano Canada, and to all of our supporting sponsors KPMG, Lazer Autobody, McFaull Consulting, MLT Aikins, and Strata Development... THANK YOU!

The Glass Slipper Benefit had a first in all of the years prior. It came from a dream Executive Director Karen Robson had last summer, to hold a Live Auction Scholarship at the Glass Slipper Benefit... an opportunity for the attendees to create a scholarship for a Princess Graduate who will be attending post-secondary education in the fall. We expected our guests would enjoy the opportunity, but we were taken aback by the generosity in the room. Not only did our guests surpass our expectations with one scholarship, but three women from the audience each committed to scholarships of $3,200, $3,100, and $3,000 - totaling $9,300 in scholarship funds that will go to three Princess Graduates this fall. Dreams do come true at The Princess Shop!

WOW! Our hearts are touched.

A lot of work and donations go into the event, as well. The Princess Shop would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and appreciation to all of the following sponsors for their generous support of the 11th Annual Glass Slipper Benefit for Princesses:

306 Auto spa

A Head of Time
Ambassador Coffee
Aboriginal People's Television Network
Beverly Ashdown
Bills House of Flowers
BioMechanics Personal Training
Black Fox Distillery
Blossoms Living
Bodega Tapas Bar
Breakout Escape Rooms
Breathe Cycle Studio
Bridge City Fitness
Broadway Theatre
Build-A-Bear (Midtown)
CAK.e hair design
Calistaprints
Calories Restaurant
Capelli Salon
Catherine Blackburn Jewelry
Checks 'N' Balances Business Services
Cindy Moleski Photography
Citizen Cafe
Cravings Maternity & Baby Boutique
d3h Hotels - Home Inn & Suites
Darren Hill, City Councillor
Delta Bessborough
Dino Box
DJ Conrad Devine
Dragon's Den
Dutch Growers
Eb's Source of Adventure
Edible Arrangements
Ehjae Chan Photography
elizabethLyn Jewelry
Elk Ridge
Ellen's Whole Body Health
Endearment Imagery
Ensoul Imagery
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Exquisite Fashions & Bridal
Fit Prairie Girl
Float Now
Fragment Media Photograpy and Videography
Fresh Living
Gerald Murray Photography
Globe Theatre
Green Tree Beauty
Gregg Bamford - Remax
Grip It Indoor Climbing
Handy Special Events
Hawood Inn
Heavenly Handmade by Kendal
Helen Oro Designs
Hillberg & Berk
Hometown Diner
Hugo Alvarado - Artist
Hunter's Eastview Bowl
Huskie Athletics
Impact Marketing
Infinity Event Planning
Inland Audio Visual
Janella Hamilton
JB Performance Training
John Parry (Rosanna Parry)
Joi Photography
Joy Weave Co
Joyne
Just for You Day Spa/Lia Reese Canada
K+S Potash Canada
Karma Cafe & Conscious Eatery
Kayleigh Cole Designs
Kelly Block, MP Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar
King Me Gamery
KPMG
KR Jewelry
Lauren Ethridge - Artist
Lavish Blowout Bar
Lazer Autobody
LB Distillers
Lead Pilates
Lillian Denton
Limelight Limo
Lucky Little Shoes
M&M Meats
Mandy-Rae Mary Kay Consultant
Mar's Mini Golf
MASALA Model & Talent
Maximum Training
McFaull Consulting
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Michelle Friesen
Michelle Janzen Cakes
Michelle's Flowers
Midtown Plaza
MLT Aikins
Moksha Yoga
Move N Soar
Moxie's Grill and Bar
Naturally Amped
Ness Creek Cultural and Recreational Society
North Ridge Development Corporation
Nosh Eatery & Tap
Novo Esthetics
Om Improvements
Oneiro Designs
Orano Canada
Panago Pizza
Paramount Day Spa
Park Town Hotel
Patricia Katz
Paw Shots
Persephone Theatre
Persephone Theatre
PickNics Catering
Pivotal Point Massage
Pizza Hut (Concorde Food Services)
PR Accounting Services
Prairies North Magazine
Priaire Lilly
Rachael Meckling
Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Ramada Plaza Regina
Rawlco Radio
Rayacom
Remai Modern
Revamp Salon Company
Riverbend Dental
Rock Paper Scissors Salon
Ryde YXE
Sandbox in the City
Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club Inc.
Saskatoon Fashion and Design Festival
Saskatoon Inn
Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
SaskPower Community Partnerships & Investment
SaskTel
SaskTel Centre
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan
Sharai Siemens Photography
Shearwater Cruises - The Prairie Lily
Shelley Novakoski
SheNative Goods
Sheraton Cavalier Hotel Saskatoon
SIGA - Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Social Made Local & T Squared Social
Stan Garchinski
Strata Development
Summit Sports + Health
Sunset Gourmet
Sunshine Events Planner
Tarren Newhouse - Realty Executives
TCU Place
The Better Good
The Centre Mall
The Hollows
The Koda Dance Group & Tim Eashappie
The Mall at Lawson Heights
The Science of Makeup
The Sheraton
Three Farmers
Three Farmers
THRIVE Juice Co.
Tommy Gun's Original Barber
Trail Appliances
Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon
TreeOSix Adventure Parks
Tunnels of Moose Jaw
UNA Pizza
Uniglobe Travel
Urban Vogue Hair
Viahera Canada
WestJet
William Joseph Communications
 
Our event wouldn't have the same impact without the generous donations from organizations like this in our community. We are proud to be located in Saskatoon where the people are as kind as they are generous, and that we can spread this throughout our wonderful province. Thank you to these sponsors, The Princess Shop has helped 890 girls in our community, and this year we will surpass 1,000!
 
Special thanks to Janella Hamilton of CTV Saskatoon for emceeing the evening and to Tim Eashappie and The Koda Dance Group who put on a lively performance at the end of the evening! To our Keynote speakers Chantalle and Erica, you all spoke beautifully about your experiences and challenges and your stories touched our audience greatly, thank you for sharing them with us. 
 
From our community of volunteers and Princesses past, present, and future..... from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU. Our community thrives because of your generosity.
 
Much Love,
 
 
Karen Robson, Executive Director & The Princess Shop

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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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