One Enchanted Evening – Enchantment for Everyone

When my Soroptimist club decided to partner with the organizers of this year’s Enchantment Project, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  “One Enchanted Evening” was launched last year in the TriCities to help teen girls in financial need get the items they needed to prepare for graduation.  Like always, I sent out an email to my regular contacts requesting girlie bling, dresses and shoes.   I am always flogging something – whether for my business or for a meaningful cause – so I’m pretty sure my repeated sales pitches for events, home parties, raffle tickets, and charity support sometimes get ignored.  (I’ve been doing it so long that my ego is now okay with being relegated to the junk mail folder).

I couldn’t believe how many responses I got, and I’m pretty sure it was more than women simply purging their closet of shiny bridesmaid dresses.  Whether we all watched Pretty in Pink one too many times, or our own grad nights were not quite the stuff dreams were made of, or we graduated in the 80’s and can’t bear to think of the hair styles or whatever the reason, the response was overwhelming.   I ended up dropping over 60 dresses off at Heritage Woods High School, plus lots of glittery shoes, handbags and sparkly pieces.   I hadn’t given my husband the head-up about this project, so he was a little perplexed when some woman (who I still don’t know the identity of) came to my door with a “wedding dress for Alison.”  I think he had a good few hours of soul searching before I arrived home to relieve his worries.  He forwarded my email to some colleagues at his school, and they too rallied.  Dresses, make-up, cookies, 20 leather BCBG journals and some random fists of bills “because I don’t own anything shiny and I’d like to help out”…it was amazing how many people wanted to contribute.

My single email also prompted local businesses to action.  (There were TONS of other businesses arranged by the main organizers, but these were just from my call to friends).   My sister runs the spa program at the West Coast College of Massage of Therapy; they donated 40 pedicures and manicures for the girls the week of their graduations, and her contacts at the Spas of America and Smellthis.ca and all came through with 40 unique personal care and beauty items.

As “ambassadors” for the evening, we were requested to wear all black.  I couldn’t help snickering a bit to myself because in general when I think of women all in black, I think of the lovely young things working at Joey Tomatoes and Earls, not those of us who would probably be more likely to be found at White Spot (eating the Hot Fudge Brownie Delight).

When the actual night rolled around, I think those 40 girls looked like deer in headlights when faced with us ambassadors, who all had a rabid gleam in our eyes as we envisioned ourselves as the newest version s of Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear.  What an unusual experience for them to just turn themselves over to us!   Our goal as ambassadors was to help each girl select a dress, the accessories and bling needed, and ensure they got their hair and makeup done so they could get professional photos taken by the wonderful photographer who donated time and the photos to each girl present.

I’m known as a pretty competitive kind of gal, and I couldn’t help but view this as my chance to “get my girl” outfitted the best!  I was fully prepared to go toe-to-toe with other ambassadors if we had to compete for the same dress.  Many people now know that I have very pointy elbows.

My girl was Brittney, a lovely girl, very quiet, and probably somewhat daunted by the volume of people present, the amount of dresses available and the sheer “girliness” of the evening.  She would have looked good in anything, but the dress she ended up picking looked as if it was custom-made for her.  It was the very first dress she tried on – a strapless sparkly bodice, with a fuchsia band and cream A-Line floor- length floral skirt.  She tried on one more dress (probably just to appease me since I didn’t want the fun to end) but the first one was clearly the winner.  I had mentally planned out my plan of attack earlier, so once we decided the dress was “the one” I raced over to the seamstress and dragged her to our change room so we could be the first in the alterations queue.  Yippee!   Shoes, purse, and gorgeous black sparkly jewellery just capped off the ensemble perfectly.  And since Brittney didn’t want snacks, while she was getting her hair and makeup done, I ate her share of cupcakes and cheese.

As well as ignoring the vegetables at the snack table, I got to see so many of the other girls revel in the fun of the evening.  I can’t imagine a woman not having fun getting to weigh in on all these beautiful dresses and hair styles.  While some of the girls were a bit shy, some just loved to come out and model their top 3 choices and get everyone’s input.  All of the girls had different stories.  Some had rougher upbringings, a couple were pregnant, some lived by themselves already, some were from war-torn countries, some were newer immigrants, some had been through foster care and most faced the ugly challenge of poverty.   But none of that mattered that night.

When Brittney walked out of her change room with her hair and makeup fully done and the dress altered, it was like a hush came over the hall.  I felt like I was in a teen movie and everyone in the hallway was looking at my girl and pointing with hushed voices.  In typical “wing-man” mode, I leaned over to her and whispered “EVERYONE is looking at you”.  She smiled shyly and whispered back “I know”.  It was impossible to not feel absolute glee at her unveiling.   At least 50 different people came up to her; she was just so radiant.  I actually felt a little tearful letting my little girl out into the world (apparently I’m going to be an actual wing-nut when my own little genetic offspring eventually graduate.)

I know the main organizer of the event (the awesome Karin Leathwood) will thank the numerous businesses and individuals who contributed so much, but I also feel the need to rave about what a wonderful community we live in where so many people took the time to help some young people out.  From those who donated a single dress or a pair of earrings, to the photographer who is ensuring that all grads can get photos, to the caterers, to the much-loved (by me and others) cupcake makers, to the seamstresses (especially the one who was going home to custom make a beaded necklace for one girl to match her gown), to the local spas and salons, to the AV students at Heritage Woods who played wonderful music that night, to the youth workers who know these young girls, to my Soroptimist friends…the sheer range of people who contributed to this event melts me.

One girl commented that she had never been treated so nice in her whole life (which is sad, but also touching in that one short night could bring such a smile to her face).  I’m pretty sure she would have ridden the bus home in her gown if she could have.  Others couldn’t believe that they got to keep the dress or that there were so many people in one place who wanted to help them feel special.  A few cried (mostly ambassadors, mind you).

By the end of the night, the transformation was amazing.  And it was so much more than the outfit and pampering.  It was the relaxed body language and smiles, the quiet giggles, the “Really?  You think it looks good?” and the genuine support the girls had for each other as they settled into the evening.  What a wonderful environment of women – young and young at heart – re-affirming the intrinsic worth of all present!  It didn’t matter the shape or size or the background of the girl.  Every single one looked so stunning by evening end.  But even the gowns couldn’t match the radiance of the smiles.  I felt so thrilled to be part of this wonderful event, and I continue to be so proud of my Soroptimist friends.

ipad2 Raffle Fundraiser

Be the first on your block to own a brand new ipad 2! Soroptimist International of the Tri Cities is raffling off a top-of-the-line ipad 2 – 64 gig + 3G. Draw date is April 29th & Tickets are only $10 each.  Email sitricities@soroptimist.net for tickets

( http://www.apple.com/ipad/)
( http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/)

Chances are 1 in 1000 (Total Tickets for sale) to win the grand prize.  BC Gaming Event Licence #31994
Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-795-6111 www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca	Know your limit, play within it.

Give Her Wings Gala – Comedy Night Tickets Available

Join Soroptimist International of the TriCities for a wonderful evening of comedy, appetizers and amazing prizes at the Give Her Wings Gala. Featuring the comic talents of  Leo Award-Winning Erica Sigurdson & Vancouver’s Funniest Female Jane Stanton.

Friday April 29, 2011
The Inlet Theatre – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
Cocktail Reception  6:30
Entertainment 7:30
Tickets only $55
No minors please.
To purchase a ticket email us at sitricities@soroptimist.net

Featuring:

• Sumptuous appetizers from Design by Desire Catering
• Amazing Auction Items
• Raffle for an iPad2
• Presentation of the Soroptimist Ruby and Women’s Opportunity Awards
• Fabulously funny comedians Erica Sigurdson and Jane Stanton

Proceeds to support:

• The Give Her Wings Girl-Empowerment Workshops
• The Enchantment Project
• PoCoMo Youth Society Girls’ Sexual Health Kits
• The Soroptimist Ruby, Violet Richardson, and Women’s Opportunity Awards
• A Warm Place for Women

International Women’s Day!

The members of Soroptimist International of the Tri Cities will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th by handing out chocolates to the women in our community.