Prom dress drive raises spirits and funds in for Sudbury community
Prom and graduation season is almost upon us and one Greater Sudbury woman is doing everything she can to make sure that anyone who needs a dress can have one.
14-month-old Ellie is legally blind. Photo taken in Greater Sudbury, Ont. on May 3, 2024. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)
This kind initiative will benefit not only those in the area who are in need but also a local young girl named Ellie.
14-month-old Ellie is legally blind and her mother told CTV News that while there are services available to help her learn to move and communicate the local waiting lists are years long.
Kristina Cox and her 14-month-old blind daughter Ellie. May 3, 2024. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“Every child deserves to have the same opportunities,” said Kristina Cox, Ellie’s mother.
“She (Ellie) doesn’t get the chance to go to daycare and socialize as we already have so much waitlists for non-disabled children so when they are disabled it puts them on the waitlist even further.”
Cox is a counsellor and a registered social worker – however, she said she cannot go back to work.
“I am having a really hard time finding work from home,” she said.
“Flexibility from employers is non-existent which makes it very hard financially.”
Cox said the only financial help her family receives from the government is a disability tax credit for her daughter.
The dress drive
The drive is organized by Savannah Laroque, Ellie’s grandmother.
Savannah Laroque, the grandmother of a 14-month-old blind girl, Ellie, collected more than 400 prom dresses in 2023 and is using them to make sure everyone in the community who wants a dress gets one and to raise funds to help her granddaughter and her family. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Laroque described the prom fundraiser as a “win-win” to raise awareness for her grandchild and others like her while also helping those in need.
“I want to see every little girl going to prom or graduation and feeling like a princess they deserve that and with today's economy even if the parents are working both parents are working it's expensive,” she said.
“If I can help them in any way I will and of course when it comes to my family well I’m going to do whatever I can.”
Laroque collected over 400 dresses last year so she said there was no need to collect more this year.
“(For a) $10 donation minimum… you’ll get to see Ellie (and) come get a dress,” she said.
The final event took place on May 4 at Talk of the Town Fashions.
The family said that any remaining dresses will be donated to the Sudbury Women’s Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
U of T protesters don't plan to pack up, will hold rally at eviction deadline
Pro-Palestinian protesters who have been camped out at the University of Toronto for weeks say they have no plans to honour the terms of a trespass notice issued by the school and clear the demonstration site by 8 a.m. today.
She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles while interrupting thieves Saturday, according to his agent and CNN affiliate KABC.
Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts global outcry
An Israeli airstrike triggered a massive blaze killing 45 people in a tent camp in the Gaza city of Rafah, officials said on Monday, prompting an outcry from global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court ruling to halt Israel's assault.
A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Kingston, Ont. tenants fed up with lack of action from landlord over broken floor tiles
Joel Felder and Misti Pitcher have been living in their apartment in Kingston, Ont. for over two years, but the past 12 months have been miserable.