Princess Project Princess Project (April 09, 2004)

Loading up prom dresses collected by the DIVAS of Downtown for the Princess Project were Megen O'Keefe and Laura Pearl of the Princess Project; Karen Pace, founder of the DIVAS; Julie Arnone, the DIVA who suggested participating in the project; and her stepdaughter Sophie who helped that Saturday to pick up dresses from the 11 businesses that volunteered as drop-off points. Pleasanton residents gave 300 dressy dresses, some with price tags still attached, to the Princess Project so every young woman in the Bay Area would have a chance to dress up for her prom.

Organizers said Pleasanton's collection was the biggest in the Bay Area. Pace, who attended the first of two giveaways, said, "It was conducted in a dignified but fun atmosphere. The girls were thrilled, the volunteers enthusiastic, and the dresses flowed out the door! Each girl left with a dress wrapped in plastic and a bag full of donated brand new goodies such as shampoo and makeup."

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