NEWS RELEASES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 2, 2007

Local Designer Sews for the Cinderella Project

Local non-profit organization provides formalwear to more than 150 students in need

Vancouver, B.C. – While high school seniors are often concerned with getting good grades and making the team, hundreds of teenagers across the Lower Mainland face a surprising number of adult challenges. They’re busy putting food on the family table, raising younger siblings or fighting life-threatening illnesses. For these young people, the luxury of celebrating their graduation is a financial impossibility and a distant dream. Vancouver resident and dress designer Michael Lee volunteers his time on Boutique Day and donates his one-of-a-kind creations to the project.

Michael Lee heard about the Cinderella Project five years ago after learning about an unfortunate incident just days before the Project’s annual Boutique Day. “I read an article in the newspaper about a bunch of plus-sized dresses stolen from one of the founder’s car right out of her parking garage,” said Lee, owner of a Vancouver-based ESL tutoring company. “I was touched by the story and what the project does for these youth.”

The article went on to describe the Project’s Boutique Day, a cause that inspired Lee. . I didn’t have the means to donate monetarily, but figured I could help in other ways,” he said. A hobby seamster and dress designer, Lee contacted Cinderella Project co-founder Heather Mackenzie and offered up his skills on the magical day.

“Michael showed up at Boutique Day five years ago with his sewing machine and fixed dozens of damaged dresses,” said Mackenzie. “Since then, his role has evolved and now Michael spends the entire day with a very talented team altering gowns and suits of the Cinderellas and Cinderfellas - on-the-spot. They measure pin and measure the piece while the student is still wearing it to give the perfect fit. The student changes and then pick up their grad dress or suit after they’ve had their hair and make-up done and had a bite to eat. It’s such a pleasure to have Michael on the team.”

Lee spends the months leading up to the event creating dozens of dresses to help fill the racks. His creations, all elegant and unique, are often encrusted with jewels applied by hand, and “all fit for a princess,” he says. He purchases most of his materials from the Fabric Clearing House in Vancouver.

Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of “Fairy Godparents” from Greater Vancouver’s Cinderella Project, more than 1000 Lower Mainland students over the past six years have been able to attend their graduation festivities with pride. This year on Sunday, April 15, an additional 150 students will gather at a local downtown Vancouver hotel to pick their outfit from an amazing selection of suits, gowns and accessories, receive tips for grad hairstyles and makeup, and to be recognized for their achievements.

On Boutique Day, each graduate is also provided with lunch and will go home with a goody bag - filled with donated products like shampoo, deodorant, socks, granola bars, box drinks and more. All of these take-home products help to make this day even more special.

MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND BOUTIQUE DAY FROM 8:30AM – 10:00AM ON SUNDAY, APRIL 15TH. MEDIA STUDENTS WILL BE ON HAND TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH YOU.

The Cinderella Project was founded by Vancouver human rights lawyers Heather MacKenzie and Cheryl Otto. Mackenzie says, “The Cinderella Project is about much more than gowns and tuxedos – it’s about encouragement, building confidence and positive mentorship. Nearly half of all Cinderellas and Cinderfellas are chronically ill or disabled. More than two-thirds of those who can work juggle multiple part-time jobs to help support their families. Some are single parents. Many care for ailing parents or raise younger siblings with little support. The Cinderella Project acknowledges and rewards these young people for staying in school and graduating despite overwhelming odds.”

The Cinderella Project relies solely on donations from individuals, organizations and local businesses. Each person involved volunteers their time and resources. One hundred per cent of the merchandise and funds donated go directly towards operating and promoting the project.

About the Cinderella Project

Founded in 1999, the Cinderella Project is a federally registered charity based in Vancouver, B.C. that provides graduation attire to underprivileged students who otherwise could not afford to attend their high school graduation ceremonies. The organization recognizes outstanding young people who have succeeded in the face of overwhelming odds and boosts their self-esteem through respect and positive mentorship.

The first project of its kind in Canada, Vancouver’s Cinderella Project has inspired a number of similar organizations across Canada and around the world. The project has been nominated as a finalist in the Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity Awards program and was a semi-finalist in the 2004 FLARE Volunteer Awards. Most recently, the Cinderella Project was the winner of the 2005 Lower Mainland Good Neighbour Award. The project is a real grass roots community effort, run by a core group of ten with over 250 volunteers participating on Boutique Day. The Cinderella Project is not a government agency and relies solely on the support of individual and corporate donors and sponsors.

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For more information about the Cinderella Project, contact: