Taking on a God-Sized Task; The 100 Tuxedo’s Drive

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“One of my goals is to empower youth with tools to navigate their reality!”  Kerry-Lee Crawford

Prom, for those who have forgotten, is a HUGE deal, and guess what? It is that time of year again. The only one other event that trumps prom when it comes to money expenditure is a wedding. Parents and students will go all out because there is no bigger event for a graduating student; it has almost become a right of passage in the North American culture, and yet, many students are unable to go to their prom because their families just cannot afford it.

Fun Fact: A promposal is considered an invitation to prospective prom dates

 I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the numbers that are associated with prom, and I was amazed. According to Visa.ca, in 2014, Canadian households were spending on average a whopping $804.00 on the prom. In 2015, the numbers dropped to $508.00, with daughters spending about $424.00, and sons spending about $278.00. It was also found that moms spend more ($588.00), in comparison to fathers who spent about $431.00

(www.visa.ca). Regardless of how you look at it, this is a lot of money that has to be spent, and it is no wonder that many students have to forgo the experience and only hear about it the next day during locker talk.

Kerry-Lee Crawford, renowned on-air host at G987, know for his infamous late-night show, “Steps After Dark,” remembers his prom, and knows how important it can be for students. When he became aware that there were youth in our community who were unable to go to prom, he took action and began the Kerry Tuxedo Drive. His goal is to rally with community partners and provide 100 gently used, or new suits or tuxedos for boys graduating from; grade 6 to 8, grade 8 to 9, and high school into university. The suits or tuxedos would be accompanied by shoes to complete the outfit.

“I have no idea, where to start!”

When Kerry took on this initiative, he didn’t realize how much there would be to do. During our interview, he called what he was doing a God-sized task, which meant that there was no way he could do it alone. The first year of the initiative produced 6 to 7 suits, and this was not enough for the need. He realized that he would need quadruple the amount and put thought to purpose. He decided that he would up the number to 100 tuxedos and suits so that he would be able to help out on a larger scale.

Members of the community have stepped up including Moore’s, who have donated a bulk of the suits and tuxedos already, as well as the Peel Police, and community leader Warren Salmon. Kerry has also been working very closely with Free For All Foundation; a multi-service organization that for 16 years has provided culturally appropriate programming that supports marginalized individuals, groups and communities across the GTA. When I arrived at their office at 289 Rutherford Rd, Unit 10, shoes and suits of all sizes surrounded Kerry, and he looked tired but determined. He explained the need for our young men to feel supported by their community. It was important that these young men who otherwise would not be able to experience prom be given a fair opportunity to experience this right of passage and look good doing it. His volunteer stylist Gena Gayle, who had become connected to the project through a joint friend Chantelle Dubois, soon joined us. Gena’s role as the stylist is to assist with the sizing and organizing of the suits. With her background in marketing, this was a breeze for her.  With a smile that could brighten up any office, she quickly went to work organizing the 47 suits that had already been received.

I asked Kerry how the community could get involved; it is simple, you can: donate a gently used or new suit/tuxedo, donate $50.00 towards a suit/tuxedo, or simply share this out on social media. Who knows who could see the post and be motivated to take action. People can make donations up to June 15^th, and they can be dropped off at 289 Rutherford Rd, Unit 10. For those who are interested in providing a free suit/tuxedo for a deserving young man, you are required to send in a one-paragraph description as to why you think this individual is a worthy recipient.  For those who would like to give a monetary donation, a tax-deductible receipt will be provided. Email transfer can be sent to info@ffaf.ca; password Tuxedo.

Kerry-Lee, we are proud of you for taking on this God-sized task and doing it with a smile.