How The Place and UNG are helping Forsyth County students …
“You could tell she was just really taking in the moment and just enjoying being part of it,” Whalen said. “And that’s what we want to happen. It’s not that that family doesn’t want her to attend, or she doesn’t want to attend, but they know that, financially, that can be a burden on a family that has a limited income.” But Whalen noted this event for high school juniors and seniors would not be possible without community donations and partnerships.
Tarlowski said they partner each year with Northside Hospital Forsyth to hold a drive for prom attire, and this year, they picked up 10 full boxes of dresses, tuxes, jewelry and more just from the hospital. A Mary Kay representative also donated about £1,000 worth of new makeup and other products. And many more in the community donated gift cards, worked with The Place to provide free services or tickets to students or offered up their time as a volunteer.
“It was so incredible,” Tarlowski said. “It really is amazing just how much the community jumps in and how many calls I’ve gotten from churches or individuals who want to participate in any way by donating what they have or seeing what they can do to be involved in this.”