UthMpact Coordinates 2014 Project Prom To Benefit Local Teens

                                            UthMpact Coordinates 2014 Project Prom To Benefit Local Teens

Polk County, FL – With Spring just around the corner, it is almost Prom Time! Unfortunately for some teens, the expense of this special event could make attending prom out of reach. Teen leaders from UthMpact, the coalition for a Drug Free Polk, with support from community partner MIDFLORIDA Credit Union and promoting partner 97 Country WPCV 97.5 FM, are busy coordinating the second year of Project Prom to provide formal wear and accessories to deserving high school students in our community who might not otherwise be able to afford the expenses of Prom Night.

We are asking the community to help support this effort by donating gently used dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry, men’s suits and accessories. Formal Wear Donation Drop Off Locations will be the InnerAct Alliance office, located at 621 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland (weekdays 8:30 am – 4:30 pm), and Blackburn’s Interiors, Inc., at 1507 Havendale Blvd. NW in Winter Haven (weekdays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm).

Student Shopping Days to distribute prom formal wear to those in need will take place on Saturday, February 22 and Saturday, March 1, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, at a storefront location in Lakeside Village, 1448 Town Center Drive, in Lakeland (next to Yates & Hagan). High school students with a Polk County School ID can sign a Project Prom Pledge to celebrate drug-free and receive their formal wear for FREE!

In the first year of Project Prom in 2013, UthMpact collected 300 dresses plus accessories, and over 100 dresses were given away. The project is run by high school student leaders taking part in the 2013-2014 UthMpact Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk, UthMpact, and key business partners, to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. Youth participating in this program were nominated by their high school principals and community members based on their scholastic and leadership contributions.

For more information on Project Prom, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.