‘Prom Night’ Campaign’s Proceeds To Help Believe In Tomorrow Build New Respite Home

‘Prom Night’ Campaign’s Proceeds To Help Believe In Tomorrow Build New Respite Home
2017 NightInTheSpotlight 80s Final

OCEAN CITY – With less than a month remaining, officials with the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation are rallying businesses and community members to join and support their annual “Prom Night” fundraiser.

This year, participating businesses are going head-to-head in a competition to raise the most funds, according to Wayne Littleton, program coordinator with Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation. The establishment with the most money will be deemed the “winner of the prom court,” complete with a four-foot trophy and two all-inclusive cruises to the Bahamas.

In years past, individuals running for prom king or queen were tasked with raising money for the annual fundraiser. One dollar equaled one vote, and the man and woman with the most votes were declared prom king and queen.

This year, however, Littleton said the goal was to allow businesses the opportunity to participate in and support the event.

“This year instead of doing the five guys and five girls, we thought we would change it up a little to do business versus business,” Littleton said.

Since then, eight businesses – the Pit and Pub on 9th and 28th Streets, Taylor’s Neighborhood Restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, Whiskers, West Ocean City Hooters, Hammerheads and The Original Greene Turtle – have signed on to partake in the fourth annual fundraiser.

Each business will be given the opportunity to raise money in its own way, according to Littleton, whether it is through guest bartender competitions, Super Bowl fundraisers or soliciting customer donations.

“I want them to enjoy fundraising,” he said. “I don’t want to put pressure on them.”

As of last week, the 28th Street Pit and Pub was in first place, followed by Taylor’s. But Littleton said there is still time for other businesses to take the lead.

“There is no runaway winner yet,” he said. “Everybody is within distance. If somebody has a great event by the end of the month, they could be in first place.”

The fundraiser will continue the night of the event, where buckets featuring each business will be available for additional monetary contributions. Voting will end at 9 p.m.

“If they raise $1,000, they get 1,000 votes,” Littleton said.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to don their best prom attire to coincide with the fundraiser’s theme, “A Night in the Spotlight – 80s Theme”.

“I keep telling myself I shouldn’t be surprised what I see, but I do constantly get surprised,” Littleton said. “I would never have thought people would want to relive their prom, but it’s hysterical.”

Although they are not required to dress in 80s wear, Littleton said many people in the past have gone out of their way to recreate iconic movie attire, such as orange and blue tuxedo suits from the film “Dumb and Dumber” or Navy garb from “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

The 80s theme will be noticeable in the cocktails, decorations and entertainment, Littleton said. Park Place Jewelers will be sponsoring the prizes, including the all-inclusive cruises and jewelry for the night’s game winners.

“If we are going to go with the 80s theme, I want to go all in,” Littleton said.

Individuals will have a chance to win the jewelry from Rubik’s Cube-inspired mystery boxes and a wine wall, where participants must pull the Boones Farm wine bottle.

“It’s just a fun evening,” Littleton said. “People have a good time with its.”

The foundation began their annual event four years ago to raise funds for a new heating and air conditioning unit for its Ocean City respite housing. Each year since, Littleton said proceeds from the event have gone to refurbish and improve respite houses in Ocean City.

This year, money raised for the event will go to rebuild a respite house on 65th Street, which the foundation purchased at a bank auction.

“It has pretty much been determined that we will knock it down and rebuild the facility,” Littleton said. “Everything we raise this year will go toward that.”

Littleton said a few restaurants and bars competing in this year’s event, including Whiskers and Pickles, will host fundraising opportunities preceding the event, giving members of the community additional chances to support the foundation’s new house.

For example, Pickles Pub will host a guest bartender night at Burley Oak Brewing Company Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. to raise money for the Believe in Tomorrow fundraiser. Owner Brittney Acita said she and Jess Purdy will be bartending and a portion of sales and tips that night will be donated.

The “Prom Night” event is scheduled for Feb. 11 at Hooters in West Ocean City. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available for $35 and will include dinner, dessert and happy hour prices at the bar. Littleton said those interested in attending the event can contact him directly at 410-723-2842 or [email protected].

The foundation has set a monetary goal of $80,000, an amount which will match last year’s proceeds.

“Bottom line is whatever we make will be more than we had the day before,” Littleton said.

Believe in Tomorrow provides hospital and respite housing services for children and their families. The foundation currently operates two respite houses in Ocean City – one on 66th Street and another on Bayshore Drive.

About The Author: Bethany Hooper

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Bethany Hooper has been with The Dispatch since 2016. She currently covers various general stories. Hooper graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2012 and the University of Maryland in 2016, where she completed double majors in journalism and economics.