High School South presents its fourth annual gift show on Sunday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to support the Class of 2016 Post Prom Event. Traditionally, parents work the class’s entire senior year to raise funds as well as creating a theme and spending hundreds of hours working on decorations.
The December craft show at High School South has been an annual event for more than 20 years. Organizers were consistently turning away vendors because their items were not handmade. “We realized what an opportunity there was in hosting a gift show that would allow all types of wares to be sold,” Sherrie Bailey told The News in 2014. She has been part of the group running the craft show for more than 10 years.
Bailey, the financial secretary at South, has assisted the Post Prom mothers with the gift show for the past four years. “With the economy not at its best it has been a struggle to raise funds that help host our Post Prom each year,” she says. “Even with this realization, we knew that the undertaking of hosting this type of event was immense, and we needed someone to step up to the plate and dedicate hundreds of hours to develop this show.”
“The Post Prom is held in order to share a venue with students after their prom so that they can remain safe for the evening,” says Bailey. “This would not be possible if not for parents stepping up and running this show.” The party provides a safe, alcohol and drug-free extravaganza from midnight until 6 a.m. on high school premises after the actual formal event concludes.
Marie Nesci and Lisa Pappa chaired the first gift show in October, 2012. “Even though Superstorm Sandy decided to arrive that day the show was a success,” says Bailey. “It has been growing ever since.” There are close to 150 vendors now. Chair parents Tracey Balestrieri and Gena Maher are working with Bailey this year.
The importance of this show is that the money raised goes directly to the Post Prom. “The creation of the gift show has helped tremendously,” says Bailey. “If you cannot attend you can still help keep our kids safe by making a donation.” Send to WWPHS South Post Prom, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor 08550.
Gift Show, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. E-mail wwphsgiftshow@gmail.com. Free admission. 609-716-5050. wwphsgiftshow.wix.com/southgiftshow.
