Grad dress, tux non-profit taking orders

Justine Corcovo, 18, checks out her gown in 2012, with Eiizabeth Surerus, the founder of the Magic Wand Project, a gown and tux lending group. Surerus is gearing up for her eighth season of lending grad outfits for a nominal fee.

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

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The busy season has arrived for the non-profit Magic Wand Project, which offers low cost dress and tuxedo rentals to graduating high school students.

Parents and high school students who can’t afford a tux or a dress can borrow one for a small fee from Elizabeth Surerus, a retired teacher living in Cordova Bay.

Now in its eighth year, Surerus has about 100 new or slightly used prom dresses and about 40 tuxedoes available for Greater Victoria students.

Surerus got the idea from a larger program in Vancouver, and figured some parents in Greater Victoria could use a break from the costs of prom. About 50 to 60 kids use the service each year.

“We’re just doing this to help students,” she said. “No student should miss their grad because they can’t afford a tux or a dress.”

This weekend, March 1 and 2, Surerus and about six alteration volunteers will be on hand at her house to allow students to pick their outfits and have them adjusted.

To book an appointment, call 250-658-0246 or see themagicwandproject.ca.

Any high school student graduating in Greater Victoria is welcome to rent an outfit. The fee goes toward dry cleaning the clothes after graduation.

Although many people generously offer to donate dresses and tuxedos, Surerus has no more room in her house for more rentals.

editor@saanichnews.com