Oakridge Style

Ana Serrano

Christmas is the best time of the year to share wonderful memories with the people you love, but it can often be busy. I admire Oakridge Centre for offering events that invite families to create a defining moment at Christmas amid the hectic schedule. On Sunday, December 13^th, Oakridge Centre presented the acclaimed film The Polar Express during its “Festive Family Film” event.

To ensure participants were helping to do some good during this season of joy, all of the donations collected at the event by Oakridge Centre were given to Dress for Success Vancouver. That wasn’t all there was to talk about!

It was a fun experience, seeing many families gathered at the Empire Oakridge Cinemas, and enjoying a delightful holiday movie. Christmas spirits were inspired by a visit from Santa and participants could warm up with hot cocoa and cookies, provided by Starbucks. That wasn’t the end of the sweet treats either. Everyone in attendance enjoyed free popcorn and pop, as well as the chance to win an Oakridge Centre Gift Card and a commemorative Polar Express holiday bell.

The screening finished early enough to allow us avid shoppers to hit the mall and I couldn’t avoid noticing the great sales Oakridge Centre is offering this month. So, even if you missed the Christmas fun at the film screening, you don’t have to miss out on the joy of smart shopping. Make sure you visit Oakridge for great last-minute finds–and don’t miss your chance to take a picture with Saint Nick himself.

Valerie Tiu

The holiday season is upon us and the shoppers at Oakridge Centre are bustling. As the days creep closer to Christmas, I am certainly finding myself in a frenzy to finish up my gift shopping. I must say that it is a rare occasion for a shopaholic such as myself to–dare I say it?– take a break from buying. But we all know how hectic the holidays can get, so it’s important to relax and maintain your sanity.

What better way to unwind than spend a little time at the Oakridge Festive Family Film Event! It takes place this Sunday, December 13^th at 10:30am. Bring your best friends, your significant other, and the tots to watch a screening of the holiday classic, The Polar Express. Not only is this a great way to take a load off, but it is also the perfect approach to give back this season. A $10 per person donation from attendees will support Dress for Success Vancouver. Dress for Success helps women and their families work towards a positive future in the workforce. Read on, for more on Oakridge’s initiative for the DFS cause.

 Tickets for Oakridge Festive Family Film Event are available at the Concierge Desk. Just remember, the best gift during the holidays truly is giving back.

There’s nothing like picking out the perfect gift for the ones you love, and imagining their delight when they unwrap it Christmas morning. That perfect watch from Fossil for your husband, a top from Teenflo for your daughter, and even a new sewing kit for your tailor.

At this time of year, it’s also deeply rewarding to give to those you don’t know. Oakridge Centre has committed to raising $50,000 for career-boosting, life-changing organization Dress for Success Vancouver. This tiny but powerful organization depends on donations to run the programs that help women in need find a suit to wear to that first vital job interview, and find the job of their dreams.

Deb Twocock, Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver, told us what donations mean to the women their organization helps.

Lots of our success stories are really small: Somebody can take their kid on a holiday for the first time. People who figure out finally what it is they want to do and have a chance to go for it. Or someone who, at the age of 50, for the first time, actually has a full time job with benefits.”

Want more info? Read on.

Want to help?
Visit oakridgestyle.com and click on Donate to Dress for Success Vancouver

LET’S HEAR IT
In what ways do you give at this time of year?

We adore a feel-good movie. Especially at Christmas time. And when we can watch a feel-good Christmas movie, and give to one of our favourite causes at the same time, we’re thrilled.

That’s why Oakridge is hosting a showing of The Polar Express, at Empire Theatres on December 13, with the $10 per person donation going to Dress for Success Vancouver.

Doors open at 10:30 am, and the screening starts at 11 am. What a way to spend a Sunday.

About Dress for Success Vancouver
Here are just a few of our favourite stories about those whom Dress for Success Vancouver helps, courtesy Deborah Twocock, executive director.

“Recently, one of the people we dressed and who then went through our professional women’s group, and then became a mentor, is now in a position to donate a scholarship to our program. When our clients become our community of help is really quite cool. We had a girl come in, carrying one beautiful suit in a garment bag. She said, “You gave me this suit, and I don’t need it anymore. I just wanted to pass the karma on to someone else.” Lots of our success stories are really small: Somebody can take their kid on a holiday for the first time. People who figure out finally what it is they want to do and have a chance to go for it. Or someone who, at the age of 50, for the first time, actually has a full time job with benefits.”

Read on, for more on Dress for Success Vancouver.

Valerie Tiu

There’s no doubt that Oakridge Centre is committed to supporting Dress for Success Vancouver. I must admit, however, that before I joined the Oakridge team, I didn’t know much about the charitable organization. After getting to know the faces behind Dress for Success Vancouver, I now fully understand the significance and hope that these people bring to women in need. This was further solidified when I had the pleasure of attending Dress for Success Vancouver’s Wrap Up Event.

Swarming with elegantly-dressed women (and the occasional dapper gentleman), the Pacific Palisades was transformed into a marketplace of sorts, complete with a showcasing area, a decadent buffet, and a makeshift runway. Hosted by CTV’S Keri Adams, the Wrap Up Event was packed with plenty of activities, giveaways, and of course, a little shopping! A percentage of proceeds went to support DFSV. Guest speaker Rosalyn Taylor O’Neale, DFS Worldwide Board Chair, delivered a truly inspiring speech. Rosalyn’s statement was simple: the women that DFS supports could be you or me; surely, a poignant and thought-provoking message.

The main event was a fun-filled scavenger hunt that led corporate sponsors for DFS scrambling through the hotel in search of interview attire. The players ended up strutting their stuff in front of a panel of judges to win prizes. The judges included Keri Adams, corporate representatives, and , along with fellow Style Agent Jessie Carlson, yours truly. I must say that it was definitely a challenge to judge so many chic ladies; given the short time they had to put together an ensemble.

Fun and games aside, I felt truly honoured to be invited to this Dress for Success event. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by women who dedicate so much time and effort to a cause like this.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  – Anne Frank