Post-prom party still a success despite funding cut

Lack of grant money couldn’t stop the Bellmore-Merrick Central District’s Midnight Madness. The fourth annual substance-free post-prom party, hosted by the Bellmore-Merrick Wellness Council, got under way last Thursday night at Zachary’s in East Meadow without a hitch.

Some 225 Central District seniors and their dates turned out for the event to keep dancing into the early hours of Friday morning after the prom. This was the first year that the Wellness Council did not receive $15,000 in grant money from New York State to fund the event; former Gov. David Paterson vetoed the grant request by state Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. last year.

Without the grant, the Wellness Council found new ways to ensure that the class of 2011 would have its post-prom celebration. “We had to do a lot of fundraising,” Executive Director Fran Licausi said.

Licausi and co-coordinator Phyllis Guttilla hosted a disco night and car wash to raise money. Representatives also gathered at local supermarkets to ask for donations. The PTAs, businesses and Merrick Kiwanis contributed monetary donations or raffle prizes. And Bellmore-Merrick parents were asked to give in any ways they could.

All of the contributions made it possible for the Wellness Council to host Midnight Madness without having to charge students for admission. As in past years, students were able to enter raffles for the chance to win prizes like cameras, televisions and other electronics; the number of giveaways was smaller this year, though.

“We made do with what we had,” Licausi said, adding that it would have been nearly impossible to hold the event without the support of the Bellmore-Merrick community. “We appreciate everything we did get to keep this thing going,” Licausi said.

The Wellness Council began the post-prom party, for seniors and their dates, as an option for students looking for a fun, safe after-prom event, done in an alcohol- and drug-free environment. Though prizes were fewer this year, students still danced the night away to a DJ, and enjoyed a free breakfast, photo booth, tattoo artist and money cube — a booth where fake money was blown around, and students were able to catch it for the chance to win prizes.

Even with the struggles along the way, Licausi said the post-prom party was a great success, and the students enjoyed themselves. The status of state funding for next year is still unknown.

Anyone wishing to help with next year’s post-prom party may call the Wellness Council at (516) 992-1073.

Comments about this story? DKrasula@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.