BuzzFree PROMises Dress & Tuxedo Giveaway | March 26, 2011 *Extra at the end of the post! :) *

For my whole life, I have abstained from alcohol and illicit drugs. When I was approached by Kim-Cuong Than of Mosaic Family Services to be the Community Champion Chair for the BuzzFree PROMises Dress & Tuxedo Giveaway, I knew it was a match made in heaven. 

The goal of the event is to encourage, promote, and reward safe and healthy choices by deserving area high school juniors and seniors. BuzzFree seeks to prevent and reduce underage drinking, driving under the influence, and usage of other drugs while increasing protectivce factors in the lives of students in the Dallas Fort Worth Community. Teens are nominated to participate by their counselors and only qualify if they are in economic hardship and are in good standing with their school (grades, citizens, and attendance). One of the great things about this event is that it is put on by and for the community. It’s community members branching out and coming together to help each other. 

This year, BuzzFree had over 100 volunteers and over 800 dresses! 

On the day of the event, I had the privilege of making a speech to over 300 high school juniors and seniors about why I stay alcohol & drug-free. To be able to have the power to tell others why they should stay on the path of being alcohol and drug-free was wonderful. There’s nothing more important than reaching out and influencing others in a positive manner. 

After my speech, there was a fashion show, displaying some of the dresses that were available for the girls to take home. I had to chance to bring three girls from Saturday Ocean to model in the Prom fashion show. All the models and students wore 3 different dresses, varying from ballgowns, mermaid style, a-line, cocktail dresses, and more. I always love the chance to wear new gowns! The fashion show gave the girls in the audience a chance to see some of the gowns on someone because we all know that a dress may not look good on a hanger, but once it’s on, it comes to life. The emcee for the fashion show, Deborah Jones, who is also a modeling/acting agent, was awesome and described each dress in detail along what body type works best with each dress.

Following the fashion show, workshops opened and every participant must cycle through all of the workshops before they are allowed to take their new dress or tux home. One of my favorite workshops was the Law Enforcement workshop with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission because it was extremely interactive! I’ve never been drunk before, but putting on the goggles that blur your vision and trying to play catch was quite a task! 

At the end of the day, signing autographs and getting to talk to more of the girls one on one made everything perfect. I love being able to truly interact with others during appearances and BuzzFree definitely did that. 

Of course, this wonderful event would never be possible if it wasn’t for all the diligent, patient, and loving volunteers! 

If you would like to participate in next year’s event or just want more information, don’t hesitate to visit the website: BuzzFree PROMises dress & Tuxedo Giveaway

And if you’d like to learn more about alcohol consumption or what’s legal and what’s not in the state of Texas, visit http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/

More photos:

(L-R) Krissy Huynh, Kimberly Kay Vang, Hoang-Kim Cung, and Bella Nguyen of  Saturday Ocean

With Deborah Jones & Kim-Cuong Than

*EXTRA*

This time around, my boyfriend, Jonathan came along to record footage of this event. You can watch my full speech here along with bits of the fashion show and my autograph signing. Enjoy! (Please scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit the “pause” button on the music player before watching)