news-record.com

Chuck Bynum attended the Adult Center for Enrichment’s senior prom this year, and he’s looking forward to more.

“I love it,” he said. “I’m able to meet a lot of people and enjoy myself.”

This year’s prom marked Bynum’s fourth.

What kept him coming back? The three F’s, Bynum said. “The friends, the food and more fun,” he said.

ACE has sponsored the adult senior prom for nearly 20 years.

“We’re able to give the caregivers and the participants an opportunity to step out of reality and enjoy a party,” ACE Executive Director Chip Cromartie said. “For a short time, they can focus on something other than their illnesses and disabilities.”

ACE offers caregiver education, adult day care, group respite programs, where participants engage in fun, social activities and CarePartners at Home, which pairs trained volunteers with participants in need of in-home nursing care.

“We just want people to know that there is support and assistance available to people caring for their family members,” Cromartie said. “ACE is a great place to start.”

The agency is able to put on events such as the prom with help from volunteers from the community and from local businesses.
Northwestern Mutual employee Michael Mahoney volunteered at the prom for the first time this year.

“This is great,” he said. “It’s good to see everyone be happy and dancing.”

Mahoney was responsible for serving food to the participants, but once his job was done, he intended to do some dancing.

“I came out to help, and I’m having a great time,” he said. “We’re giving these folks some time to come and feel like they’re young again.”

Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 373- 7157 or tiffany.jones@news-record.com