A Gastonia nursing home is taking their elders back to 16

Residents at a Gastonia nursing and rehabilitation facility are preparing for prom.

For some of them, this second chance at the special event comes more than 50 years after they attended their high school prom.

Prom at The Ivy has never been done before, but will likely become a yearly event, according to the facility’s Director of Nursing Heather Youngblood.

In April, staff at The Ivy took notice of prom photos being shared online.

After some discussion, they decided this year they would like to host their own prom for the residents that they view as family.

“We are a 50-bed facility… these residents are our everything. They’re our family,” Youngblood said. “So what we do is, we put a lot of heart, love, care, and time into these residents.”

With the help of a few community partners, staff was able to plan a starry-night themed prom for their residents, which is set to take place May 14 from 2 - 4 p.m.

“We couldn’t have done it without the donations,” Youngblood said.

Every supply for the event from food to flowers was donated by local partners like Food Lion, Gentiva Hospice and Personal Home Care.

Jean’s Flowers donated florals for the staff to create corsages and boutonnieres for residents.

Brittany Cato collected donations from customers to offer the residents jewelry, and Shelby Totally Free Clothing donated 30 prom dresses, formal shoes, suits, undershirts, and more to help dress the residents for the occasion.

Many residents still remember their high school prom, and others never had the chance to attend one.

Laura Holder, a 51-year-old resident at the facility, attended her high school prom at West Mecklenburg High School in a pink puffy prom dress, and is looking forward to the opportunity to attend another, she said.

Another resident, 72-year-old Karryn Franz recalls wearing a long white dress to prom at Terry Sanford High School decades ago.

At this prom, Franz plans to wear yet another long white dress.

Daimeon Butts, 49, and Jack Costner, 52, both remember being somewhat nervous at prom in their youth, and are looking forward to dancing and enjoying prom for a second time.

“You know how it is, at your first prom, you’re all excited and got butterflies,” Costner said.

Other residents like 75-year-old Gertrude Hibbties never got to experience a formal dance.

Hibbties immigrated to the United States from Germany when she was 18, and prom was not a common occurrence in Germany in her youth.

“I don’t know about it. I’ve got a funny feeling about it,” she said through a laugh. “I haven’t been dressed up in a long time.”

According to Youngblood, the facility will have drinks, food, a professional photographer and a DJ at the event to make the night special.

“I hope they get the enjoyment of living young again,” Youngblood said.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: A Gastonia nursing home is taking their elders back to 16