A single mother is hoping to salvage her daughter’s stolen hopes for prom.
“I don’t want her to miss her special night,” said Aurora Bragdon.
On Monday morning, Bragdon got in her 1997 Cadillac, parked in a gated apartment complex on Georgia Street in North Park.
She saw her compact in the front seat, which should be in the console. She got a sinking feeling and immediately popped the trunk. She opened the trunk and noticed her purse was missing.
“First it was anger, then shock and sadness,” said Bragdon.
Inside the purse she left in her locked car overnight was all of the $140 the single mother of two had saved for her daughter Natalie, a student at High Tech High, to go to her junior prom.
The dress is bought, but everything else, from her nails to photos to a dinner - will cost money the family no longer has.
Bragdon recently stopped her job search to deal with family issues.
“It was unfortunate because everybody wants to be looking fabulous on this one night,” said Natalie Skye, 16.
Bragdon isn't giving up on finding the money.
“I’ve never been to a school dance, and I don't want her to miss out on something so fun and memorable and be a princess for the night. She’s humble and was okay with just going as is, but I want more for her,” said Bragdon.
Bragdon went online and started a GoFundMe campaign.
“I love that my mom, even when we're hitting rock bottom, she makes something good out of it … I really admire her and I’m glad she doesn’t give up,” said Skye.
Her prom is scheduled for this Saturday night.
