Parent Prom features dancin’ for a good cause

Adults from around the area came out in their dancing shoes to support a good cause Friday night at the Nodaway Valley Parent Prom.

The first annual event, sponsored by the Nodaway Valley Booster Club and held at Sixteen Oaks, featured three hours of dancing, hors d’oeuvres, and countless silent auction items.

The Nodaway Valley Booster Club, under one umbrella, covers three different levels: elementary school, middle school and high school. They believe their mission is essential as they support the students and staff of each school building in large and small ways, enriching lives of families and children in the school district.

Sometimes it’s events or gestures that show appreciation for teachers. Sometimes it’s to help pay for new sports or playground equipment. Other times it’s helping fund a field trip. Yet another time, it’s helping pay for new band or choir uniforms. This year the booster club has helped fund events where parents, grandparents or other loved ones can come in and share a treat with their student at school. The Boosters also provide meals for teachers during conferences. It’s all in a year’s work for the booster club.

The Parent Prom was derived from a desire to do a large fundraiser together as one booster club with three different areas of focus.

The event space was donated by Sixteen Oaks. Over 20 different items were on the silent auction, donated by businesses from across the Nodaway Valley district.

“This is the first big event where all three divisions of the club have come together,” said Michelle Carns. “The Boosters want to do things that will draw the community and school together. If there’s an appetite for these type of events, where all three clubs and all three school can benefit, we want to make it happen.”

Many people came together to plan the Parent Prom, and they all became involved with the booster club for various reasons. They stress that while the community support was strong for their event, they hope more people are inspired by become a part of the booster club’s mission by becoming a member.

“Anybody can come to the meetings,” said Vicki Hepp. “And we need more volunteers.”

Brittany Groves, another one of the event organizers, was very pleased with the Parent Prom’s success.

“It was a very successful event and a great base to continue to build from each year,” Groves said. “The silent auction was a big success, attendees were very generous, along with all the local businesses that contributed to make it possible.”

You can learn more about the event, and the Booster Club, on Facebook.