Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

 

SALISBURY — March is here and that means two events organized by Jante Gibson-Bryant, the Prom Dress Giveaway and Paint and Heal, are quickly approaching.

The prom dress giveaway, which is a 100 percent free event, will be held March 21 with dress pickup scheduled for 5-8 p.m. at City Park Recreation Center, 316 Lake Drive, Salisbury. 

As of March 6, Gibson-Bryant shared that she had collected over 250 dresses, along with several pairs of shoes and jewelry, as well as multiple gifts to be raffled and that she is continuing to collect dresses and accessories.

Those wishing to make donations of prom dresses and other items may continue to do so until March 14. Gibson-Bryant can be contacted about donations at jante@awakenherwellness.com.

The prom dress giveaway event is open to girls, who are juniors and seniors and who are needing a prom outfit, whether in Rowan County or other surrounding counties. Registration is still open until the day of the free prom event on March 21. Girls may register to receive a dress by going to the Say Yes to the Dress Awakenher Wellness eventbrite link, eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-say-yes-to-the-prom-dress-tickets-1227081386459?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

In a previous article, Gibson-Bryant said that while she is doing this for Rowan County, she added that “if a girl needs a dress, she needs a dress, and prom should be memorable no matter what” and therefore opened this part of the event to other counties.

Another part of the prom event that Gibson-Bryant organized is called the Prom Perfect Experience. This was held through a nomination process and was open to girls who are Rowan-Salisbury high school seniors with the winner receiving a prom package of “pretty much everything that a girl could need for prom,” she said.

Gibson-Bryant announced the winner of this package is Aunye White, a senior at Carson High School. As winner of the package, all expenses for prom will be covered by Awakenher Wellness Inc. and donations from local business owners including dress, hair, makeup, accessories and dinner for two.

Gibson-Bryant that White was “kind of shocked” when receiving the word she had won. She was a double nominee, receiving a nomination from a teacher and also submitting one herself, Gibson-Bryant said neither knew of the other nomination.

As part of the nomination process, information including goals and skills were to be shared, and the teacher’s letter shared what a pleasure it had been to get to know Aunye to “witness her work ethic and personality as it has developed throughout high school. I have become increasingly impressed by her motivation and willingness to serve others, and her positive attitude and energy while completing multiple tasks and projects.”

She was also described as a versatile student and one who “recognized the importance of getting involved in high school, in her community and beyond. Auyne faces challenges with vigor and confidence, stepping up to be a leader when needed. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this gift.”

White has not selected where she will be attending college at this time, but did share that she would be majoring in sports medicine.

Gibson-Bryant’s second event this month, Paint and Heal, will take place March 29 from 3-6 p.m. also at City Park, with “Woman Evolve” serving as the theme for this second annual event. Registration will remain open until tickets are sold out.

There is a fee of $50 to participate, and those wishing to attend may register and pay online on the Awakenher Wellness events on eventbrite at eventbrite.com/e/unlock-your-creativity-and-find-healing-through-art-tickets-1227094425459?aff=erelpanelorg. This fee, said Gibson-Bryant in a previous article, covers everything needed for the event including paint, canvas, raffles and a meal.

A spring-type event, Gibson-Bryant has incorporated butterflies through many of the decorations including the centerpieces, which she made, saying that she is a creative person and enjoys doing crafts such as these. She said that the butterfly “will be used as a symbol of evolving as a woman.”

As she shared previously, the themes for the events will change from year to year; however, she decided that the event verse would remain the same, coming from Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing.” 

This year’s event will be similar to last year as it will provide an opportunity for women to paint, with canvases set up for them when they arrive. There will also be a raffle table and food provided along with a time of discussion from one of Gibson-Bryant’s books and the opportunity to fellowship.

Gibson-Bryant said that in preparing for each of these upcoming events, she has “chosen to convert my living room area into a space to house donations, event items and whatever else God places on my heart to use the space for. I have come to realize the reason for Him blessing us with our home is far greater than I may have originally realized.”