Started in 2009, the Bella Project is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. OWL Past President, Val Schmidt, coordinated volunteers for all the previous events. Eight years ago, Val took over the Bella Project along with OWL Past President, Tracie Young with their Junior League of Honolulu fellow member, Charise Shigeta.
The Bella Project focuses on helping high school girls who are low income, special needs and critically ill get a free dress, shoes, accessories and makeup. They are also open to the public twice per year in spring and fall for Prom and Winter Ball. On January 26, 2019, they gave away 275 dresses with the help from 250 volunteers. They currently have approximately 1,500 dresses in inventory for their future events. Val is pictured with a young girl who got a dress when she was 16, then volunteered to present day 8 years later. This girl literally became The Bella Project poster girl.