For the first time, the Eugene High School Project Prom committee received a $1,250 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to contribute to the annual safe after-prom event April 29.
Deana Mathews, store manager at the Wal-Mart at 724 W. Stadium Blvd. in Jefferson City, said the national Wal-Mart Foundation helps fund the program, offering grants to nonprofit organizations and entities in their service area. The store staff selects who receives the grants throughout its annual cycle.
"(Eugene) is a local small community that sometimes struggles with donations," Mathews said. "We want people to know our small communities are just as important to us as our big communities like Jefferson City."
The Eugene High School Project Prom committee applied for the grant about a month ago.
"We brainstorm so many ways to get donations because we want to have a nice event for the kids," said Pam Lepper, Project Prom committee member and Cole County R-5 School District technology assistant.
The committee, made up of parents of Eugene High School juniors and seniors, solicits donations from a lot of businesses every year. They also host a variety of fundraisers, including the annual fall golf tournament.
"Our goal is typically to raise around $10,000. We work really hard to make that happen," she said. "This donation was huge because it takes a little bit of the pressure off."
Lepper said this year's Project Prom, on April 29, invites students to the high school gymnasium after prom ends. The entire gym and cafeteria are turned into a safe, activity-filled environment complete with games, contests, music and food for the students to enjoy until 3 a.m.
She said another big draw is the prizes given away to students, including a 50-inch television and items students can use for college like microwaves, futons, mini-refrigerators and more.
"Every junior in attendance gets a prize averaging $75, and every senior in attendance gets a prize averaging $100," Lepper said. "As they play games, they earn tickets, too. If they want that 50-inch television, they can put all their tickets toward that prize. Regardless, they are guaranteed to get something before they leave."
Mathews said the Wal-Mart Foundation's grant program has awarded monies to a variety of local entities, including schools, emergency personnel and police departments, churches, youth organizations and food banks.
"We make sure to spread out the donations throughout the different seasons, leaving some money for donations at Christmas time," she said. "Wal-Mart often doesn't get the recognition for the positive things we do for the community. We see that at a corporate level, and I do in the position I am in. But, it is nice to get that word out locally and let people know we want to give to our community."
For more information about the community grant program, visit walmartfoundation.org. To request smaller donations for charitable activities, visit the store and ask for a donation form at the customer service desk.