Doesn’t everyone want to relive their prom night? Okay maybe you don’t want to relive it, but maybe you want a redo. There aren’t many opportunities anymore to get put on fancy clothes and party it up, and the money you shelled out for prom tickets and dinner back in high school wasn’t going towards helping community members in need.
However, that’s exactly what the annual Prom Benefit is doing. This is the 11th installment of the event, and the goal is to raise $125,000, which translates to 625,000 meals.
Here are the details from the press release, including how you can get involved:
Jackson Chiropractic presents the 11th annual Prom Benefit for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank on Saturday, March 9 at the Hilton Garden Inn from 7 – 11pm. This year’s goal is to raise 625,000 meals ($125,000) for food-insecure individuals and families in the Foodbank’s 18-county service territory. Currently in eastern Illinois, 1 in 7 individuals – including 1 in 5 children – do not know where their next meal will come from.
Co-chair Tiffany Jackson of title sponsor Jackson Chiropractic explains how the event offers the opportunity to support those in need. “Being born and raised in Champaign-Urbana I never understood the magnitude of the need for services provided by the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and how the need grows every year,” she says. “The Prom Benefit helps others understand the importance of the Foodbank and impact that their donation can make on their local communities all while giving us the opportunity to get dressed up and have a night out.”
The Prom Benefit was founded in 2008 by local community member Lorianne Bauer of ESS Clean as a fundraiser for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and is managed by the Foodbank and a committee of community members committed to alleviating local hunger. Every year, fun-loving folks come together to relive Prom night or experience it for the first time, all while helping fight hunger. This year’s theme is Studio 54 and the event will feature raffle prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, dancing, an open bar, photo opportunities and crowning the Elite Bridal Prom King & Queen.
The Elite Bridal Prom Court includes: Chris DeRosa (Broker and Listing Partner, Ryan Dallas Real Estate), Lindsey Flessner (Branch Manager, Illinois National Bank), Dustin Heuerman (Sheriff, Champaign County), Cathy McArthur (Events Coordinator, University of Illinois Research Park), Brian Mennenga (Lieutenant of the Patrol Division, Champaign County Sheriff’s Office) Abbie Osterbur (Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management), Denise Poindexter (Director of Strategic Operations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Jason Reda (General Manager, KAM’S) and Amanda Reiss (Attorney, Evans, Froehlich, Beth & Chamley). The male and female candidate that raise the most money for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank will be crowned the night of the event. Donations to their campaigns can be made online at www.prombenefit.com through Friday, March 8.
Tickets to the event can be purchased for $125 each at www.prombenefit.com through Saturday, March 2 or until sold out. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in the glamorous Studio 54 theme or re-live their Prom in formal wear while making new memories.