A night to remember: Community provides prom attire for students impacted by Pajaro floods
By Ariana Jaso
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WATSONVILLE, California (KSBW) — With prom season in full swing, members of the community are coming together for a prom attire giveaway, for students impacted by recent flooding. Thanks to donations and the hard work of volunteers, students affected by flooding in Pajaro won’t miss a night to remember.
Head organizer, Gina Castaneda said the idea sparked when she was driving her daughter to school. She said, “I looked up at a sign that was announcing prom and I thought to myself, how are kids going to be able to go to prom in we’re living in a moment of time of chaos?”
That’s when Castaneda scrambled to get community members together in order to give students, who have endured devastation from recent flooding, a memorable prom night. “Kids should have a moment of time in their lives that they have an opportunity for happiness and get an opportunity to do something that they will always forever have something to remember from high school.”
Now, just in time for their big night, prom attire is available for free, for students from Watsonville High School, Aptos High School and Pajaro Valley High School.
Students can shop a wide range of prom attire — dresses, accessories, suits and ties, shoes and even gift cards for hair, makeup and nails. The whole package for a perfect experience.
Joe Hernandez, district attorney inspector, teamed up to help organize the giveaway. He said, “When you look at the expenditures that come with prom, there’s so much that comes to it. Before you know it, there’s just tons of money that go out in addition to you still have to go to dinner. So I think it’s more of looking at how can we provide just a little bit of relief for them and their families.”
Organizers emphasize that their goal is to also help parents who are agricultural workers and are out currently out of work due to the flooding. They add that sometimes it’s the little things that have a huge impact.
“If you don’t have those small things that they can experience, that bring them joy, the fact that they get to hang out with their friends and have that experience, that really goes to their mental health when they don’t do that,” Hernandez said.
Where: 15 Madison Street, Watsonville, Ca.
When: April 11, 12, 13 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. and April 15 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
More information: Gina.castaneda@santacruzcounty.us
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