Who says prom is just for high school?
It started with a simple idea: create an affordable evening where seniors could enjoy a good meal, dance, spend time with friends, and make new ones.
We’re talking about the Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Prom, a special prom night for a different generation, complete with dinner, dancing, a new theme each year, and even a royal court.
This year’s prom is set for November 18 at IP Casino Resort and Spa.
Where the tradition began
The idea belonged to Lucy Bickham, who brought together a committee of people who shared her heartfelt interest in improving the quality of life for senior citizens. As the event grew, the committee needed help organizing and managing the funds that made it possible.
They turned to Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
In 2009, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Prom Fund was established at GCCF. Today, the fund continues to help the committee carry forward a tradition that Gulf Coast seniors look forward to year after year.
A night they look forward to all year
For someone walking into the Senior Prom for the first time, the committee describes it as an enchanting evening filled with good food, dancing, and fellowship. Each year brings a different theme, with the ballroom decorated to bring it to life.
The excitement starts well before the first dance.
“Every year, hours before we open the doors to the event, the seniors line up and wait to come in,” said Jennifer Rushing of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Prom Committee.
Herb Edmonds knows that anticipation well. He and his wife, Camilla, look forward to the Senior Prom each year.
“It’s an evening out that we thoroughly enjoy. We get to visit with old friends and meet new ones,” Edmonds said.
There’s also a royal court. Each year, a random drawing determines the Prom’s dukes, duchesses, king, and queen. Rushing said seeing their faces when their names are announced is “magical.”
That joy is one of the reasons committee members remain committed to the event year after year.
“As a committee, it feels magical that we can do this event and see the joy and excitement in each senior,” Rushing said.
A community behind the celebration
Creating the Senior Prom takes months of planning and the support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
Rushing credits IP Casino Resort and Spa, the Prom’s largest sponsor, as well as military volunteers who help escort seniors to their seats, serve food, dance, and entertain guests throughout the evening.
That community support also helps the committee accomplish something that has been important from the beginning: keeping the Prom affordable, particularly for seniors living on fixed incomes.
“The more support we get can offset the economic challenges to keep the night affordable,” Rushing said.
Contributions help provide seniors with the opportunity to enjoy a meal, dance, socialize, and stay active — while continuing a tradition that has become an important part of the year for many who attend.
An idea finds a home at GCCF
Behind the annual celebration is a relationship that has helped the Senior Prom Committee manage the financial side of its work.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Prom Fund is a pass-through fund established at GCCF to support the annual event. GCCF assists the committee with processing contributions and other administrative needs, giving committee members more time to concentrate on creating the Prom itself.
“The relationship we have built over the years with the Foundation has made it easy and convenient to process our contributions,” Rushing said. “They provide stability and accountability for our finances and support any other needs we may have.”
The partnership is also an example of how an idea for doing something good in the community can grow when people have the right structure and support behind it.
Years after the fund was established, the committee is already preparing for another Senior Prom — securing sponsors, selling tickets, and getting ready to welcome new and returning guests.
And Rushing hopes their experience encourages others who have an idea or cause close to their hearts.
“We would encourage anyone with an idea or cause to contact the Foundation to assist in their vision,” she said.
Ready for Prom Night?
Mark your calendar: The Mississippi Gulf Coast Senior Prom will be held November 18, 5:30-9:30 p.m., at IP Casino Resort and Spa. Purchase tickets online at mygccf.com/103Ow or in person at Retired Senior Volunteer Program Resources and Charles Walker Senior Center, both in Gulfport, or Home Instead in Ocean Springs.
Have a cause you care about? Gulf Coast Community Foundation can help you find a way to put your passion into action. Contact GCCF to learn more about establishing a fund: info@mgccf.org, 228.897.4841 or mgccf.org.
