Prom Spot - 3 ways to give back at prom

As your committee gets started with planning, why not make your prom more than just a party?

Pretend you're on an extreme makeover show
Does your community have a rec center that's seen better days? Consider marshalling your troops for a little reno work. A few coats of paint, some serious cleaning, and a little planting in an outdoor space will make a rec center look fabulous for prom -- and even better, the space will stay spiffed up afterward, making it a more valuable place for people in your area. The contributions your prom class makes to rehabilitate the space will keep resonating long after the last song of the night.

Give Back, Hollywood-style
Celebs are always attending black-tie dinners and galas that donate to various charities. While you probably can't get students to pay thousands of dollars per ticket for prom, you can take a cue from these swanky affairs by adding charitable components to your event. For example, if you're raising money for a cause pre-prom, keep track of how much individual students bring in. Then, instead of the typical popular vote for prom king and queen, award the honors to the girl and guy who’ve raised the most funds. Another option: In the week or two before prom, sell raffle tickets for prizes and give the proceeds to your cause. The more tickets students buy, the more chances they have to win -- and even more money will go to support your charity. The winners can be announced on the big night.

Sell tickets with a twist
At most schools’ proms, tickets are a necessity -- not just to see how many people are coming, but also to cover the costs of food, decor, and the DJ. Give your prom a purpose by raising the cost of the tickets -- but not in the way you think. With the price of the tickets, include a donation of some kind that will help your community. For example, ask promgoers to bring in at least one nonperishable food item to benefit a local food pantry when they purchase their tickets. If they don’t bring anything, they have to pay more. The combined effects of all those small donations can make a big difference.

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-- Kate Wood