Dance the night away for cancer patients at Relive the Night in Bedford, Indiana
Depending on the era, your prom date might have worn a powder blue tuxedo or maybe she had the biggest hooped skirt and permed hair you've ever seen. Attending prom is a distinctly high school experience, but some local volunteers are putting together a prom night for adults.
Relive the Night, a formal, over-21 event benefiting Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services is Saturday at the Shamrock Center. Tickets are $50 and include dinner, music and dancing.
Dan Kemple, one of the organizers of Relive the Night, said he got the idea for an adult prom several years ago after seeing a group of high school students dressed up for prom.
"We were driving through Orleans and I said to my wife Kellie, 'That would be neat to do as an adult,'" he recalled. "Some people do like to dress up and go out, but there's really nowhere to do that."
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Kemple decided to put together a prom for adults and he wanted it to benefit a local nonprofit and chose Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services."
"We've all been affected by cancer and I wanted to do it for LCCPS," he said. "They keep all their money here. Other groups, your money probably goes out of town."
More than 200 tickets have been purchased.
"People have been so supportive with buying tickets and donating to the event," he said. "I think people are excited to be able to get out and do something like this and they want to help Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services. Everyone has said that it's such a good organization."
In 2021, the all-volunteer group assisted more than 200 Lawrence County cancer patients; 97 who were newly diagnosed patients.
Judy Heichelbech is president of LCCPS and said the group receives names of six to 12 new cancer patients each month.
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LCCPS spent more than $100,000 helping cancer patients last year.
Two-thirds of the money is used to buy gas cards and provide direct patient assistance. Nutrition supplements make up 16% of the total assistance.
"Only 3 percent is for operating expenses," Heichelbech said.
Grants make up 34% of LCCPS income. The annual car show at Bedford Ford contributes 22% and donations make up 19%. The group's own fundraisers, such as the recent spring tea, represent about 8% of income.
Outside fundraisers, such as Relive the Night, are an important source of support, Heichelbech said.
"I'm just blown away by groups and folks who come to us and say we want to raise money for cancer patients," Heichelbech said. "A lot of them have ties to cancer patients and that's where their heart is. It's amazing and truly a blessing that they see the need for cancer patients."
Vote for king, queen
In the tradition of proms, Relive the Night will crown a king and queen with the winner determined by popular vote. Each vote costs $1.
Queen candidates are Christina Root, Bridget Mackey, Timber Browning and cancer survivors Amanda May and Penny Clark.
King candidates are Mike Hopper, Tim Thompson cancer survivor Larry Hardman and Charlie Tidd, recently diagnosed with colon cancer.
A silent auction will also raise items for LCCPS and will include a handmade wooden flag made and donated to the event by Steve Chapman, whose wife passed from cancer.
Relive the Night tickets can by purchased from the Kemples (812-583-3359 or 812-583-00350, at the Bedford Chamber, Lawrence County Tourism on Main Street in Mitchell or online at eventbrite.com.
Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Relive the Night event in Bedford, IN will benefit cancer patients
