Over 150 students were outfitted for their upcoming graduations during the seventh annual One Stop Grad Shop event on May 14, 2025.
The initiative, which provides students with a wide selection of gently used formal wear, was originally launched in 2017 and is run by Brantford Police Service Cst. Kelsie Annaert and Lindsay Cordingley, a learning resource teacher at King George Elementary School.
Made entirely possible by the generosity of the surrounding community, the yearly event allows students from Brantford and beyond to find an outfit for their various upcoming special occasions completely free of charge.
From formal dresses to full suits and ties, shoes, jewelry, and hair accessories, there were hundreds of items up for grabs.
“We had our core schools come this morning to shop and then we officially opened to the public at 3:00 p.m.; it’s now 5:00 p.m. and we’ve outfitted about 105 students so far which is just awesome,” said Annaert. “Some have found a dress but no shoes, and others got their shoes and jewelry, but no dress, but lots of boys have been outfitted from top to bottom this year, so full suit, vest, tie, pants and shoes. It’s just been really cool to see all their faces light up when they find that perfect outfit, especially because some of these items still have tags for $300 on them.”
She added that while the community is always generous in donating clothing items, this year they were also able to secure extra clothing racks, paper shopping bags, and even a large selection of perfume and cologne from different businesses.
“It’s been really amazing, the donations just get better year after year and we’re really grateful for that,” said Annaert.
On top of all of that, the constable’s mother, Laurie Annaert, was also on site donating her time to provide the students with free minor alterations.
Brantford resident, Leeza StLawrence, was just one of the many parents who brought their soon-to-be Grade 8 graduate to shop at the event.
“I think it’s an awesome initiative and it definitely makes the whole graduation a little less stressful,” she said. “I also love that the police are involved with this too because it makes a lot of the younger kids feel more comfortable going to the police if they need to as well.”
Her son, Vaiden, was happy to share that he managed to find an entire outfit for his big occasion.
“I got a grey jacket and pants, a blue dress shirt, a red and blue tie and brown shoes,” he said, with a smile.
Alexis Roy, who picked out a red dress for her Grade 8 graduation, said that she thought the initiative was “pretty cool.”
Her grandmother, Elise Speed, said she couldn’t help but get emotional.
“I think it’s awesome that they can give back to the community like this,” she said. “It’s really great for families who can’t afford it, and it’s just awesome that the kids can come shop and not feel like they’re missing out. It’s just incredible and I can’t believe how many things still have tags on them.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
