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140 Smiles, 140 Accomplishments, 140 Lives Changed for the Better

posted by The Princess Shop    |   October 2, 2018 15:36

by April Donauer

The trees are already looking bare, we have a couple of snowy days under our belts, and grad season seems like a lifetime ago. All the same, we would like to take some time and reflect on our 2018 Princess Graduates. They are strong, they are intelligent, they are brave, and they are GRADUATED. Here at The Princess Shop, we feel a sense of pride when we send out the dresses on grad days. Each dress belongs to a girl who has reached a truly special milestone and each girl has had her own journey. We celebrate each journey and congratulate each achievement. 

This past grad season was a truly remarkable one. What made it particularly special was that it could not have been possible without the support of our community. We had volunteers help mend dresses, volunteers assist in appointments, businesses that donated funds, hair services given, make-up services given, photography services given, and dresses donated. All this to say, The Princess Shop had been able to give back because so much has been given through the support of our community. Thank-You.  

One of the most breathtaking moments of grad season is when a graduate chooses her dress. Whether it’s sleek and low profile or jeweled and dramatic, each dress represents celebration. It represents a unique story, a unique style, and an exciting beginning. The celebration begins when the Princess Graduate comes to pick out a dress. Sometimes there is excitement in her eyes, sometimes fear. Excitement because she is planning to go all out, fear because she has never worn a dress and maybe it won’t look good on her. Nothing replaces the look in her eyes when she has found the dress. She is no longer fearful because she KNOWS she looks beautiful in the dress.

This year we had 140 dress appointments, 140 looks of nervous excitement, 140 success stories that represented 18 different Saskatchewan communities, and 140 Princess Graduates who have celebrated their achievements (in style). 140 represents the number of dresses that were worn to graduation celebrations this year but The Princess Shop is more than dresses. This year, our graduates received $32,000 of scholarships. They worked hard and are now off on new adventures. We also have new graduates connecting to mentors, connecting to community. 140 represents the number of dream chasers and hard workers.

Although back the school rush has faded, the pumpkin spice craze is upon us, and grad season seems like a lifetime ago, we want to say a special thank-you to our 2018 Princess Graduates. Thank-you for allowing us to be a part of your day. Thank-you for allowing us to sit next to you while you flashed looks of delight in that mirror when you saw how beautiful you looked. Thank-you.  

 

ps. You can be a part of this impact, too! Click here for more information on how to get involved.

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From a Volunteer's Perspective: The Princess Shop Experience

posted by The Princess Shop    |   September 10, 2018 14:34

Stepping into the role of Volunteer Representative is not what you would expect, or at least in comparison to my own previous volunteer experience, not what I expected.

It's been more than - and better than - I envisioned. Every week I attend a weekly meeting with a group of successful and motivating women. We're surrounded by beautiful donated gowns, shoes and accessories. We brainstorm, goal set, get off track for a moment and laugh, and are constantly re-evaluating every aspect of the organization to ensure we have a positive impact on not only our Princess Graduates but our community as whole. By the end of the meeting, were assigned chosen tasks to meet our goals and out into the community we go. We fundraise, network with donors and sponsors and build lasting relationships. 

While this is happening, me and other Volunteer Representatives along with individuals from our list of 'Helping Hands', conduct dress appointments which is by far, one of the most fulfilling duties. We simply consult with the graduate about her wants and needs for grad day and beyond. We outline the different programs The Princess Shop offers and ultimately attempt to be the bridge between adversity and prosperity. Once graduation season arrives, it's a whirlwind of wearing many different hats. We go from being a graduate's personal assistant to being a team player of the salons were in and out of. 

Every so often, were pulled aside by a graduate who feels graduation and everything that comes with this major achievement, would not be possible without the organization. Rather it was through lending her a dress, providing her with a scholarship or simply being a mentor in her life, we've alleviated hardship in more ways than one. We're thanked and told that we should be proud of the work we do. And when the graduates acknowledge our work and display appreciation for all that we do, it is only a bonus. Because I can tell you, that is not why myself or our team, volunteer for The Princess Shop. 

I volunteer because of everything I just shared with you. Though it is only a glimpse of the expectations and experiences that come with the position. If you read between the lines, it's quite easy to recognize that this organization pushes you to become better for yourself and the community. It's a doorway to seeing what community means and what our community offers. It's a way to feel empowered through empowering other women. It further develops various life skills that one utilizes in their everyday life. Skills such as Communication and Leadership skills. And it overall provides you with an experience that changes your life while changing others' lives

Chelsey is one of a group of amazing individuals who make The Princess Shop a magical place through their passion and dedication. Does this sound like your kind of crew? We are looking to fill some more roles and would love to have you if this post spoke to you. Click here!

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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
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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