Kuwait Times

Mom Prom charity-minded retro-parties spread across country

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For a decade now, women have donned their old prom and bridesmaid dresses - even wedding dresses - for an evening of charitable revelry in suburban Detroit. And the idea is catching on. As the annual retro-shindig known as the Mom Prom gained attention, founder Betsy Crapps started getting more calls and emails from women interested in holding similar events. “My dream was to have women raise money for charity and have a great time with their girlfriend­s,” Crapps said during this year’s installmen­t at her church in Canton Township.

That dream has come true. The 47-yearold mother of three estimates about 80 Mom Proms will be held this year nationwide. Among them is Melanie Collins’ fourth Mom Prom on April 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with proceeds going to Assistance in Health Care, which helps cancer patients in financial distress. The cost is $35 per ticket. “If someone wants to put on an expensive gown and pay $300 for a dinner at a gala, there is no shortage of charities to oblige. Mom Prom is priced low, allowing anyone to attend,” Collins said.

Crapps owns the “Mom Prom” trademark but doesn’t charge for hosting one. She asks that proceeds go to charity and for would-be organizers to contact her so she can keep track of the events. Mom Prom “fosters a lovely feeling of sisterhood among attendees,” said Gail Veitch, who helped bring the concept to Saratoga Springs, New York, where four proms have resulted in donations of nearly $50,000 to women’s or children’s charities. Crapps estimates the Canton Mom Prom, where attendee numbers are limited because of available space in the church’s basement, have raised several thousand dollars a year for St Vincent De Paul and other charities. Marie Lally’s Mom Prom will take place April 22 in South Lyon, Michigan. The 41year-old paralegal said it’s an easy draw. “I have so many friends that are like, ‘Let’s go dancing.’ Where do you go dancing when you get to be, like, a mom,” she said. — AP

 ??  ?? In this Feb 25, 2017 image made from video, Betsy Crapps, left, and her daughter, Katherine Crapps, pose for a photo before the Mom Prom at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich. — AP photos
In this Feb 25, 2017 image made from video, Betsy Crapps, left, and her daughter, Katherine Crapps, pose for a photo before the Mom Prom at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich. — AP photos
 ??  ?? Grab taken from a handout video released by Robert Carmona-Borjas showing Venezuelan violinist Wuilly Arteaga, who gained fame for playing at many of Venezuela’s opposition marches, being assisted after he was injured during a protest in Caracas. — AFP...
Grab taken from a handout video released by Robert Carmona-Borjas showing Venezuelan violinist Wuilly Arteaga, who gained fame for playing at many of Venezuela’s opposition marches, being assisted after he was injured during a protest in Caracas. — AFP...
 ??  ?? Image made from video, Deana Michalak smiles after being named queen of the Mom Prom at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich.
Image made from video, Deana Michalak smiles after being named queen of the Mom Prom at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich.
 ??  ?? Image made from video, Traci Hofmann shows off the “Tackiest Dress” award she won at the Mom Prom held at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich.
Image made from video, Traci Hofmann shows off the “Tackiest Dress” award she won at the Mom Prom held at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich.
 ??  ?? Image made from video, Betsy Crapps is interviewe­d before the Mom Prom at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich.
Image made from video, Betsy Crapps is interviewe­d before the Mom Prom at St Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church in Canton Township, Mich.

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