Maple Lake’s Post Prom Party Committee has been honored for nearly a decade of efforts to provide safe entertainment for local students after the Maple Lake High School Prom.
The Post Prom group received the “You Rock” award last week from the Wright County Family Services Collaborative. Each of the 16 partner organizations that make up the collaborative was invited to nominate an individual or organization for the award and the Post Prom group was the selection of Maple Lake’s Youth Connections program.
Youth Connections Coordinator Kim Brown said there were many reasons the Post Prom group had been selected for the honor. “They have been selected for this award not only for their hard work and dedication,” Brown said. “But also for their initiative and commitment in addressing such an important teen issue and in helping keep teens drug and alcohol free.”
It is also fitting that this year, the Post Prom Party celebrates its tenth anniversary.
“When it first started out, it was this handful of people who did everything,” said Laurie Risbrudt. “Now we have some committees and a lot more help.”
Risbrudt said she and Pam Lemieux discussed organizing a safe after-prom event for years. She said she hosted a much smaller party at her home one year, as did the family of Arnie and Gloria Michalicek, and Terry Mooney hosted a party at Elletson Bowl one year.
Risbrudt and Lemieux began by inviting people to take part in organizing a post prom party and 38 students attended that first year at the V.F.W.
“It’s hard to get something off the ground and it was initially a tough sell,” Risbrudt said.
But over the years, more and more students chose to attend the post prom party, which features an all-night evening of games, prizes, food and entertainment that fills the combined Maple Lake Elementary gym and cafeteria. Last year, 142 attended the party, which amounted to just over 80% of the junior and senior students who also attended Prom.
“We also nominated them because they produce such a high quality event,” Brown said.
From $13,000 to $15,000 is spent each year on the party, which requires a year’s worth of organization and fund-raising. The process begins almost immediately after the previous prom party, with meetings to book entertainment and games for the next event. The big fund-raising event for the prom party is the Wednesday Night Suppers at the V.F.W., which are set for the first Wednesday in September, October, February, March and April. Letters are also sent out to businesses and civic organizations in an effort to secure additional funding or prizes. The group also conducts meat raffles and a $20 fee paid by each student attending helps the budget.
And the volunteer network created for the party is large, with at least 50 adults needed for the party itself and countless others involved in doing everything from cooking food and washing dishes for the suppers to building unique party games. Lemieux and Sheila Benson no longer have children in school, but still help out every year. “It’s amazing how many people have stayed over the entire ten years,” Benson said.
The funds raised foot the bill for about $3,000 in major game rentals, $1,000 for a hypnotist and the largest portion used to purchase quality prizes for the kids in attendance.
“Everybody leaves with something,” Risbrudt said. “You’d have to work really hard not to have a good time.”
“And there is so much to do,” Benson added. “They don’t have time to do it all.”
“It’s good to leave them wanting more,” Risbrudt laughed. “And it’s great to see them having the chance to act like kids again.”
There will be a planning meeting after the November 5 V.F.W dinner at about 7:30 p.m. for anyone interested in getting involved in the Post Prom Party.
“There are many volunteer opportunities and if they have more money than time, we’d gratefully accept donations,” Risbrudt said.
And what’s in it for the volunteers who have worked so hard for the past ten years? “We get a little burnt out come March,” Risbrudt laughed. “But on that night, when the lights are on, everything’s ready and the kids are coming in, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
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