Photo by Tony Vasquez CAP Adult Prom king and queen Brian S. Gentry and Sarah Meredith.
The Child Abuse Prevention Adult Prom, “A Black and White Affair,” on Saturday raised more than $96,000 benefiting Family Service of Bartholomew County programs here and in surrounding counties. The event at The Commons also saw its largest crowd in years of nearly 500 people at The Commons, according to organizers.
Money goes to a range of nonprofit Family Service Inc.’s child abuse prevention programs. April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. The record for the event came in 2022 when $100,000 was raised.
Those programs educate children and youth in grades kindergarten through 12 and also adults in the community as well about everything from warning signs of abuse 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.
King was Brian S. Gentry and queen was Sarah Meredith by virtue of being the top fundraisers through events the past few months and monetary votes on the prom court.
It takes $15 to educate one child via Family Service’s programs, according to staff.
“The entire Prom Court should be s proud of their efforts,” said Raina Jones, child abuse prevention coordinator for Family Service of Bartholomew County. “Congratulations to all and a heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community who supports child abuse prevention at this event each and every year. Our community never seizes to amaze me at the kindness and generosity that makes this event a success and supports our children.
“We have the best prom planning committee — along with the best community partners to make it happen.”
Photo by Tony Vasquez The CAP Adult Prom court.
