COLUMBUS, Ind. — To say that Lauren Solomon was queen of the ball Saturday seems a sparkling understatement.
The Columbus resident raised an estimated $22,000 with the help of her fundraisers and sponsorships — to benefit the 10th Annual CAP Adult Prom that funds child abuse prevention.
Besides a casino night months ago that netted $9,000, she even gambled on selling pizza slices at the prom itself — and proved successful.
“It was just a great experience,” said Solomon, who was queen of the prom court as top female fundraiser while Gray Nelson was king as top male fundraiser. “The cause itself is why I put so much into it.”
She said she knows a number of people who have suffered abuse in childhood, and that their pain motivated her to help.
The Commons event, which attracted a near-sellout of 400 people, raised an estimated $70,000 total — with some $60,000 raised by the 12-member prom court — for the nonprofit Family Service’s Child Abuse Prevention programs. Those programs educate children and youth in grades kindergarten through 12 and also adults in the community as well about everything from warning signs to how to report suspected abuse, according to organizers.
National figures show that one in eight young people are abused before the age of 18.
The theme of the night was a variation on “The Wizard of Oz” film: There’s No Place Like Prom.
Some chose to dress the part, decking themselves in complete costuming related to the movie. Dr. Mandy Wyant dressed as a witch, complete with green face paint as in Broadway’s “Wicked.” Husband Drew outfitted himself as a winged monkey that made even their dog stare in a social media photo.
“That’s one of the more fun parts of the prom,” said Raina Jones, who coordinates the event for the organizing Family Service, which offers a wide range of counseling and other help for the public. “You never know what people are going t0o wear.”
Others chose chose more formal wear such as evening gowns and suits.
Jones acknowledged that last year’s $100,000 total raised was due to more event sponsors. But she added that organizers this year were extremely grateful for a range of businesses and individuals who were generous for the cause.
“We just couldn’t do a prom if the community at large didn’t support it,” Jones said.
