Moms of all types will dress their best and head for the Silver Spring Civic Building Friday night for Mom Prom “Pretty in Pink!” to raise money for the YMCA’s Youth and Family Services program.
Mom Prom was started at St. Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton, Mich. in 2006 as a ladies night out to dress up and raise funds for charity. The local version began last year, according to Carson Henry, the executive director of Youth and Family Services for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.
“Our board was evaluating our signature fundraiser, which was a golf tournament,” Henry said. “The participation was decreasing [and] we found that it was harder for people to understand what we were trying to accomplish as a nonprofit.”
The board then developed criteria for a fundraising event. One of the members knew about the Mom Prom, and the rest of group agreed to bring one to the area.
‘We have women from all over Montgomery County, D.C., some even from Virginia, come and they just have fun,” said Henry, who also oversees the Y’s social responsibility work. “It’s an alternative to a chicken dinner gala or a golf tournament and what’s more, we actually make it possible for the moms that we serve to also attend the event.
“For some of them, they never went to prom, nor do they ever really go out for an evening out, so this is a really special day for them,” Henry added.
It’s not really just for moms, though, Henry said, as many bring a date or a friend.
“We joke around and we say it’s open to all types of moms. It could be godmoms, grandmoms, moms-to-be, fairy godmoms,” he said. “The reality is, it’s an inclusive event [and] some women do bring dates.”
The first year’s event attracted about 200 people and Henry said they expect a few more than that this year to enjoy a DJ, dance demonstration, in-line dance lessons, photo booth and presentation about the Y program. In addition, this year’s Miss Maryland is expected to attend.
“We will close out with just a really fun dance party,” he said.
Individual tickets are $50, though groups of 10 or more pay $45 each, and VIP tables of 10 are available for $1,500. The party runs from 7-10 p.m.