First Lady Mary Perdue Hosts "Project Perfect Prom"

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

 

May Kids First Event to Benefit Foster Care Support Foundation’s Prom Clinic

May Kids First Event to Benefit Foster Care Support Foundation’s Prom Clinic

ATLANTA— Today, First Lady Mary Perdue hosted Project Perfect Prom to benefit the Foster Care Support Foundation’s Prom Clinic " Promapalooza". Project Perfect Prom is the May event for First Lady Mary Perdue’s Kids First Initiative. First Lady Mary Perdue welcomed members of the Junior Leagues of Gwinnett and North Fulton, Atlanta, Cobb-Marietta and DeKalb County to the Governor’s Mansion to learn more about Kids First and the First Lady’s Our Children Campaign.

"I am encouraged each time I see a new community dedicated to addressing the needs of abused and neglected children," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "I am delighted to partner with the Foster Care Support Foundation and Junior Leagues from across the Atlanta area to bring attention to many issues that affect foster children throughout our state."

Guests enjoyed a tea and browsed the table of vendors that included custom stationary, jewelry, Tastefully Simple and Southern Living at Home. Members of the Junior Leagues contributed more than 500 prom dresses and various accessories to be donated to the Foster Care Support Foundation.

"The Junior League of Atlanta is delighted to assist First Lady Mary Perdue in the Project Perfect Prom Dress Drive for Foster Teens," said Elaine Rogers Walsh, President of the Junior League of Atlanta. "As part of the Junior League's strategic plan to help women and children at risk obtain self-sufficiency, we believe that providing foster teens with the opportunity to look and feel their best not only enables them to feel special on their prom night but also helps empower them to realize their full potential."

The Foster Care Support Foundation’s Promapalooza is an opportunity for foster teen girls in eleventh and twelfth grades to choose from an array of dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories for their prom night. The Prom Clinic also offers cosmetic consultants for each of the girls before her prom night.

"The Foster Care Support Foundation could not begin to meet the needs of children in crisis without the efforts of people like First Lady Mary Perdue and events such as Project Perfect Prom," said Rachel Ewald founder of Foster Care Support Foundation Inc.

The Foster Care Support Foundation is a 501©3, all volunteer organization that donates free clothes, toys and infant-care equipment to Georgia foster children. The Foster Care Support Foundation distribution center has been in operation since 2000 and is about to embark on a Capital Campaign to build it’s permanent facility serving children in foster care throughout the State of Georgia.

Kids First is a new initiative of the Our Children Campaign. The First Lady will canvas Georgia hosting monthly "Kids First" activities to highlight an area of volunteerism with abused and neglected children. Past Kids First events have included the program’s launch that highlighted the First Steps program at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital and a volunteer drive within the Middle Georgia faith community. April’s Kids First event partnered with the Governor’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. Families from across Georgia were invited to participate in the egg hunt as well as a special baby shower to benefit Families First. At the end of the day more than 150 items ranging from diapers to toys were donated to Families First of Metro Atlanta

"Each time we address a new community about the needs of foster children we are increasing awareness about the need for strong child advocates in our state," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "It is my hope that every Georgian who we reach out to will make volunteerism a lasting part of their daily life."

Future "Kids First" events will include a foster family appreciation night and a book drive for children in foster care. To find out more information or to learn how you can support the foster children in your community, visit www.gov.state.ga.us and follow the link to the First Lady's Our Children Campaign or call 1-866-786-6661.