Donation drive helping ensure students have prom attire

Published 7:30 am Thursday, March 23, 2023

Thanks to the efforts of caring adults from all over the state, Baldwin County students will have a chance to say yes to the prom dress or tuxedo of their dreams.

The story began when Baldwin County Superintendent Dr. Norris Price expressed concern to Family Engagement Coordinator Shonya Mapp that some students within the school district may not be able to afford to go to the prom. Wanting everyone to have an opportunity to attend, the decision was made to create a clothing closet where people could donate prom dresses and accessories as well as tuxedos and suits for kids who may need them.

Mapp spoke to Stephanie Wright, Family Service Advocate at the Early Learning Center, to help in the endeavor. After the two talked, Wright created a message and posted it on Facebook, and the rest is history.

“From there, the response from the community has been overwhelming,” Wright said.

The two ladies have been busy ever since, meeting people from all over the state to accept donations and fielding calls from stylists of all kinds who want to offer their services as well.

“It has been a phenomenal effort,” Wright says. “I am just flattered with the response that we have gotten from it… It’s so humbling, and I take pride in always wanting to help and be the change I want to see, and so it has just made my heart overjoyed to be able to help in this endeavor.”

Each day since that Facebook post, the two have been busy coordinating meetings to pick up donations, and they have come from near and far.

“The phone calls are coming in from Dublin as far as Atlanta, Georgia,” Mapp said.

Every day, the two hear from someone who wants to help in some way. In addition to clothing and accessory donations, they also have a running list of people who have offered to donate money as well as hair stylists, makeup artists and nail stylists who have offered to donate their services. The plan is to connect parents with people who want to sponsor those things. And, in addition to traditional prom dresses, they are also accepting donations of cocktail dresses that girls may need for upcoming school banquets as well.

All of these efforts will culminate at one event on March 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baldwin High School. “Say Yes to the Prom Dress/Tux” will give students an opportunity to come and shop for their prom attire. Clothing will be set up so that students can shop for their dress or tuxedo right off of the rack just as they would in the store. Mapp said any student from the Baldwin County School District who needs a dress or tuxedo is welcome to attend the event.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by dropping items off at Baldwin High School or the Board of Education, or they can contact Wright at 478-456-8251 or Mapp at 478-363-0813 to coordinate a meeting for pickup.

The two say people from throughout the district have pitched in to make this experience possible for students. They hope that it will become a yearly event.

While the event is certainly geared toward helping students to have a magical prom experience, the hope is that in the meantime, they’ll walk away with a greater life lesson as well.

“I hope that it will create a lifetime memory that they will always cherish, that they were able to go and that someone thought that they were worthy to pour into them to make this happen for them,” Wright said.