MACON, Ga. — Attention students! It's almost time to break out those dancing shoes and get your tickets because prom is around the corner.
It can be quite an expensive time, but one Macon church is trying to help lower the cost.
From the dress and tuxedo down to the corsage and boutonnier, many stores say you can spend between $200 to $2,000 or more.
Members of Union Baptist Church have taken it into their own hands to help these students have a night to remember.
They are collecting new and gently used prom dresses to donate to low-income students.
Cheryl Richardson is a member of Union Baptist Church and the founder of the prom dress drive.
"It's always good to give rather than receive and we serve god by serving others," Richardson said.
Richardson says her daughter received a donated dress for prom, and that's when she knew she wanted to give back in the same way. It reminds her of her mission in life and in the church.
"It's all about our youth in the community," Richardson said. "There's so much going on in the community and I'm excited to make a young lady happy. It's very important."
Kalia Gosha is a junior at Southwest High School.
"Prom is like an event that you're preparing for your whole life," Gosha said.
Gosha said this year, the theme for prom is Arabian Nights and she's been planning hard for it.
She said her maximum to spend for prom this year is $1,200, so she was happy when her counselor told her about the dress giveaway
"It's such a great opportunity, and it's really nice that they're doing this," Gosha said. "There are some girls who are like me who are low income and can't afford to do everything that they want to do but this gives them a chance to live out their dreams."
Now, Gosha said she's looking forward to attending the giveaway and planning for her magical night.
"I'm just looking towards spending my last night, a big party with my friends, my teachers, my principal, and all the beautiful decorations it's just going be a really big event and I can't wait."
There will be giveaways for free limo rides, shopping sprees and more.
The prom dress drawing will happen on March 16 from 12 pm to 3 p.m. at Union Baptist Church.