2024 ESG Report
"Say Yes to the Dress" at Zehrs Stanley Park
June 18, 2025
Imagine stepping into a prom boutique where every dress sparkles with possibility, and every suit promises a night of celebration—all without a price tag. That's exactly what Zehrs® Stanley Park in Kitchener, Ontario brought to life with their recent prom donation event. Inspired by a group of parents who had been running a similar event for years at a local mall, the team at Zehrs decided to create an opportunity for students to receive an outfit for prom at no cost to the family.
"The community was so grateful for the opportunity," recalls Cheryl Smigelski, Floral Manager, who spearheaded the project. This inspired her to bring the same spirit of generosity to Kitchener.
The call went out for donations of dresses, shoes, suits, and all things prom related. The response was overwhelming. The store's community room was transformed into a prom wonderland. Dresses were displayed on racks by size, shoes neatly arranged, and jewelry sparkling on tables. "We decorated the room like a prom," Cheryl explains, "with punch, snacks, coloured plates, cups, and napkins." To make the experience even more special, local hair and nail salons even donated gift cards, adding an extra touch of glamour.
Sunnyside School played a crucial role, with students helping to organize donations. In return, they were each gifted an outfit for their grade 8 graduation. "They told me it was way better than the end-of-the-year school trip," she laughs. "They all said they want to come back next year and help."
The word was spread through local high schools and middle schools, distributing flyers with the event's dates and times. After reaching out to a few local news outlets, CTV News Kitchener covered the event, and sparked a ton of donations to roll in. Students from as far as Guelph and Cambridge flocked to Zehrs Stanley Park, some even from universities. With more than 800 items donated, the team was ready to make dreams come true.
The experience was deeply moving. "Everyone was so excited when the students found an outfit that they liked. It was one of the most rewarding events that I have done in my 34 years with the company," Cheryl shares. The team even incorporated a "Say Yes to the Dress" moment, complete with enthusiastic volunteers.
Despite the challenges of getting the word out initially, the event was a success. A dedicated team of five team members worked tirelessly for months, supported by store managers and weekly check-ins with Store Manager Maddison Meyers.
Looking ahead, the team is excited that this will become an annual event, building on the foundation of community spirit and generosity they've established. "I really have to say that I work at the best Zehrs store around," Cheryl says with pride.
