On May 2nd, 200 or so people showed up to Handle With Love’s 80s Prom Night at ArtsRiot in Burlington donning puffy sleeves, neon, gaudy jewels, and ruffle tuxedo shirts!
(I mean seriously, these looks are like beyond outrageously awesome! How cute are they?!?)
Promgoers enjoyed delicious catering by ArtsRiot and danced All Night Long to sweet retro tunes spun by our DJ, “Boy Dan.”
(Footage from our legendary Late Night Sing-off! Die hards only.)
Our Rad Raffle Giveaway featured prizes from Seventh Generation, The Burlington VT Moms Blog, Pingala Cafe, Montshire Museum, Babies to Boomers, Yoga Roots, Old Gold, New Moon Cafe, Bella Boutique, The Farmhouse Group, Juniper at Hotel Vermont, Buttered Noodles, Juliana Taylor (midwife/doula), The Fourth Trimester, Poe Wovens, Evolution Yoga, Shanti Mama, Nova Naturals, Healthy Living, The Prenatal Method, Sweet Yoga, Goodtimes Cafe, Bagitas, Ma & Pembum, Lotus & Lily, Sweet Tooth Farm, Element Nail Salon, Aubuchon Hardware, Trillium Hill Farm, Lantman’s Market, VonBargen’s Jewelry, and a grand prize getaway donated by Okemo Mountain Resort.
(The Rad Raffle Giveaway)
Thanks to the generous businesses that donated prizes and Promgoers who purchased raffle tickets, we were able to raise over $1000 for the Handle With Love Doula Scholarship Fund, a charitable project that enables expectant mothers in need to hire birth support.
(Julie from VonBargen’s Jewelry adorning our Prom Queen with her royal necklace worth $600!)
Magic Hat donated swag for sing-off prizes and Springfield Printing Corporation donated all the event posters. Prom was truly put together on a shoestring for year one with the help of many. Our sponsors: VonBargen’s Jewelry, Dealer.com, Poe Wovens, Babies to Boomers, VT Birth Haven, and The Burlington VT Moms Blog helped make the event possible. Volunteers made decorations, set-up the venue, ran the raffle tables, photographed the event, and even our entertaining DJ volunteered his creativity for the cause which was all so heartwarming.
What did Promgoers have to say about this epic event?
“These misfits had a blast, thank you for the awesome party!” TL
“Getting ready for prom was almost as fun as the party itself!!” TA
“Waaayyyy too much fun!!” SSB
“So much fun!!! Thank you!” AV
“Had so much fun, cant wait for the next one!!” VK
“Such a blast!” KRF
“Thank you, Francesca! It was a super fun night!” SC
“It was so great! I missed my own prom, so I was happy I got to take a trip back in time for it!” DH
Next year, you ask? Oh yes, we will PARTY ON. It will be bigger and somehow even better…a bigger budget, killer music, more fundraising, and like way more fun to be had!
Stay tuned for details on next year’s theme and date!
Additional ways to support Handle With Love throughout the year:
“Like” Handle With Love on FB. Check out the hilarious photo gallery from year one!
Sign up for our newsletter, Handle With Love Notes. A link to a free photo gallery will be featured in our next edition so all Promgoers can download (and frame) event pics!
Consider shopping Handle With Love’s line featuring an assortment of gifts! A portion of each sale goes to the charity fund!
Did you miss the event, but still want to give? Make your tax-deductible donation directly through our partner nonprofit, Mama Says, who hosts the doula charity fund.
Own a business and want to join our network of “Community Supporters” who financially support the fund annually? Find out more: http://www.handlewithlovevt.com/handle-with-love-vt-community-sponsors
Feel free to inquire directly with any questions or comments! [email protected]
Thank you for your support- it takes a village! Party on.
Francesca Arnoldy, ICCE, CD
Francesca is an experienced, certified childbirth educator & doula of VT Birth Haven. Before becoming involved in the birth world, she graduated from UVM and worked in the social services field. Becoming a mother opened her mind and heart to this new career path. Being invited into people’s intimate birthing experiences is an honor and privilege. She also works to make doula support accessible to ALL expectant mothers with her project, Handle With Love.
