The Youth of Virginia Speak Out (YOVASO) Advisory Board needs your help to continue the After Prom Grand Finale Event. The organization relies on donations and grants to produce this life-saving event that just turned 31 years old. Members of the community can help by voting for them to receive a $25,000 grant from State Farm® to help keep teens safe on prom night through the After Prom Grand Finale.
The YOVASO Advisory Board sponsors the After Prom Grand Finale Event (APGF) at the end of the school year as an extra incentive for students in Southwest Virginia to attend and stay until the end of their school’s after-prom party. This year, more than 5,251 students from 40 high schools across Southwest Virginia made the safe choice to do so. That is more than 5,251 youths who made it home safely to their families after one of the biggest and most dangerous nights of their young lives. It is estimated that more than 85,000 lives have been saved in the last 31 years.
To encourage participation in after-prom parties each year, First Team Auto donates a brand-new car to the winning student. (Because First Team donates the entire cost of the car, 100% of this grant will go towards paying for the After Prom Grand Finale Event.)
YOVASO Advisory Board Chair Sheila Lythgoe says, “In the past 31 years of the After Prom Grand Finale event, NONE of the participating schools have experienced the tragedy of a drug or alcohol-related driving accident on the night of their prom. This event saves lives.”
How can you help? U.S. residents who are 18 and older with a valid email address can vote for the After Prom Grand Finale Event HERE.
Voting is open until Friday, August 23, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. Voters are allowed 10 votes per day and all 10 votes can be easily made in one session.
If the YOVASO Advisory Board is chosen, they will receive the $25,000 grant at the end of October.
Photo credit: Getty Imageswjjs