For weeks now, clothing donations have been pouring into Trafalgar Public School in London, Ont.
The center of a donation drive, it’s designed to give grade eight students in five east-end schools free access to formal wear for prom.
Trafalgar, Ealing, Aberdeen, CC Carrothers and Princess Elizabeth Public Schools have been identified as locations where many families feel financial pressure.
Speaking to CTV News London in April, Trafalgar Public School Principal Cheryl Smith said she had high expectations for the clothing drive, and hopes it helps students who might struggle to pay for formal wear.
At 9 am on Saturday, the event — dubbed “Shopping Day” — finally kicked off.
The gymnasium at Trafalgar Public School was filled with clothing racks full of prom dresses and suits, destined for any grade eight student of the Thames Valley District School Board in need of formal wear.
Students could come down to the school before 1 pm and choose from hundreds of items to create the perfect prom outfit of their dreams.
With COVID-19 altering or canceling graduation and prom ceremonies across the region over the past two years, Saturday’s event is another reason why Smith and her volunteers wanted to give students the prom they deserve.
“We just feel that those schools are in need, especially as we all recover from COVID,” she said.
According to the school, there are 100 students to dress for their big day.
“We are looking forward to moving forward and having graduation again,” Trafalgar Public School wrote on Twitter.
— With files from CTV News London’s Sean Irvine