By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – High school girls living in foster homes who wish to upgrade their wardrobe will have the opportunity to shop for their favorite formal outfit at no cost thanks to The Trading Boutique in Old Town Helena as they host a Glitz, Glam and Gowns event at the end of February.

The Trading Boutique will host the Glitz, Glam and Gowns event on Sunday, Feb. 24 between 2-5 p.m. at the store located at 4035 Helena Road.

The event is open to teen girls in grades 9-12 who are currently living in a foster home in Shelby, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties.

The girls who attend will get to come into the shop and pick out a prom dress for free. The event will also feature a hair stylist from Uptown Salon who will give a demonstration of a few different hairstyles for prom as well as make-up tips and tricks.

The store is currently accepting donations of prom dresses for the event and ask that they are brought to the store by Feb. 20.

Holly Barnett, a recruiter/trainer with Health Connect America, is helping to coordinate the event and said the need for foster parents is huge right now in the state of Alabama.

“There are currently over 6,000 children in the state of Alabama in foster care and only around 1,200 homes,” Barnett said.

Any foster family that would like to register a girl for the event should email Barnett at holly.barnett@healthconnectamerica.com.

In addition, anyone that is interested in becoming a foster parent or has questions should email Barnett or reach her at 821-8251.

More statistics on children and foster care can be found at Alabama.dhr.gov.

For additional information on the Glitz, Glam and Gowns event, visit Facebook.com/events/330784430884979/.