A group at Grace Fellowship in Clanton has organized a charitable event that will give local couples an excuse to splurge on a special date night.

An adult prom will be held on Saturday, April 5 to raise money for Raleigh’s Place, a children’s home in Chilton County.

The Raleigh’s Place Prom will be held from 6–10 p.m. at the Chilton County YMCA on Ollie Avenue in Clanton.

Adults ages 30 and above may attend, and the event is open to couples and individuals.

The cost is $40 per couple or $20 per individual.

Natalie Holmes, one of the event’s organizers, said she and her husband tossed around the idea of having an adult prom with several other couples at the church as a fundraiser for Raleigh’s Place, a ministry the church supports.

The idea for the event quickly gained traction.

“My husband and I just moved to Clanton in December and were learning about Raleigh’s Place and some of their needs,” Holmes said. “We were trying to figure out ways to raise money for their dining hall facility. We thought it was a great idea.”

Tickets may be purchased online on the Raleigh’s Place Facebook page or by emailing Raleighsplaceprom@outlook.com to obtain a mailing address for sending checks.

Although no deadline has been set for ticket sales, organizers need to have the bulk of their sales completed about a week before the event.

“We’re trying to encourage people to buy tickets a week before just to have the proper amount of refreshments,” Holmes said. “We’re not going to turn anybody away.”

Attire for the prom is semi-formal, Holmes said. For men, slacks and button-down shirts or suits are acceptable, and women can wear dresses or pant suits.

“We want people to come and have a good time,” she said. “We’re not trying to be exclusive.”

A grand prize drawing for a gift basket will be held. For every item a person donates to Raleigh’s Place to fulfill its needs for campers, the person’s name will be entered once in the drawing.

According to its website, Raleigh’s Place’s “small” needs include washcloths, soap, shampoo, toilet tissue and bug spray, while “large” needs include pillows, blankets, towels and twin-size bed sheets.

Holmes said sponsors of the event include Dr. Bethany Baker Lyn, MorLyn’s Fine Jewerly and Gifts and Burger King. Burger King is donating crowns and a gift card for the prom king and queen.

Anonymous donors have also contributed to the event.

Holmes said attendees could enter their names in a drawing at the door for a chance to win prom king and queen.

Light refreshments will be served.

“We’d like to raise a minimum of $2,000,” Holmes said. “If we can sell even 60 pair of tickets, anything over that is even better. We’re just trying to keep it easy and fun.”