PHOTO BY MARK LORENZ
Janet Wasileski hangs dresses into their inventory at the Northshore Fairy Godmother Project, based at GE in Lynn. The project provides Prom Dresses and accessories to young women in need in the local communities.
By BILL BROTHERTON
LYNN — Thank heavens for the Fairy Godmothers.
We’re on the second floor of the cafeteria building inside the sprawling GE Aviation plant on Western Avenue, and two large rooms are stuffed with prom dresses of all shapes, sizes and colors. On Saturday, nearly 200 young women and their guardians will visit the auditorium on this floor, scrutinize the racks in search of The Perfect Gown, and head home happy, confident they will look beautiful on one of the most anticipated nights of their high school years.
And the dresses are free.
This is the 15th consecutive year the GE-based Northshore Fairy Godmother Project has collected donations of new and “gently worn” formal dresses and accessories, so financially disadvantaged students can attend their prom in style. Some 2,100 princesses have received prom-wear at no charge since 2003, when 35 girls benefited. Last year, 172 dresses were distributed.
Erin Foote, a GE engineer who is the project leader, said a dedicated group of 10 committee members have been collecting dresses, jewelry and purses for the better part of a year. On Saturday, about 120 volunteers will lend a hand. Some Fairy Godfathers will transport the young ladies from the visitors’ center to the boutique. Foote praised the efforts of Catherine Lyons, who started and supervised the event for the first 14 years. She thanked Toomey Cleaners of Lynn, which collected donations all year long.
Committee member Shari Warden said the “girls are overwhelmed by the inventory when they first walk into the boutique. Last year, one girl arrived in camo dress … and she picked the pinkest, girlie-girl dress we had.”
Another volunteer, Janet Wasileski, said some girls are timid at first. But before long they’re rifling through the racks like a bride-to-be going wild at a Filene’s Basement bridal sale. She said that each girl is paired with a Fairy Godmother, who helps her select several dresses to try on. They wait outside the dressing rooms to assist, offer opinions and help find accessories that go with their choice.
Foote said many of these young ladies wouldn’t be going to the prom if it weren’t for the Fairy Godmothers. “The average cost for a dress is $400 to $500. Even if you get lucky and find a dress on sale, you’re still looking at $150 or so. These girls can’t afford that.”
Committee member Sue James said some girls donate their dress back, so another student can attend her prom.
“I was a Fairy Godmother to one girl and her mother,” added James. “The girl selected a dress and looked beautiful. She said to her mother, ‘I love this one mom.’ The mother looked at her daughter and said ‘I love it too, honey, but we can’t afford it.’ When I told them it was free, they both started crying. I started crying. I truly felt like a Fairy Godmother and she was truly a princess.”
This year’s Northshore Fairy Godmother Princess Boutique will be held on site at GE Aviation, 1000 Western Ave., Lynn, on Saturday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Everyone must sign in at the visitors center. Appointments must be made in advance, by calling 781-594-1255 or emailing [email protected].
Bill Brotherton is the Item’s Features Editor. He can be reached at [email protected].