Inaugural ball offers inclusive, family fun

FosterAdopt Connect’s inaugural Tall & Small Ball from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Westwood Event Center in Poplar Bluff is a fundraiser to help support and expand the group’s programs.

Advisory board co-chairs Nate Newman and Stephanie Webb, along with Mary Haldeman, Branch Director of FosterAdopt Connect Poplar Bluff, met in October to discuss bringing a fundraiser to the area.

The proceeds will be used to help continue to support and expand FosterAdopt Connect programs that directly benefit and support families involved in the child welfare system, Haldeman said.

“Within a few months, we plan to add two additional programs; one designed to support motivated biological families who simply need resources and support to avoid losing their children to the state while the other program is designed to advocate for and support grandparents and other relatives who are raising children of their relatives,” Haldeman said.

The tickets are $85 per adult and $50 per child. To purchase tickets or to donate to FosterAdopt Connect, go the Facebook page FosterAdopt Connect Poplar Bluff and find a post about the event and click on it

“The benefits will quickly help you forget the cost as you watch your family smile, laugh, interact with their favorite characters and dance, as well as eating a meal fit for royalty,” Haldeman said. “But, beyond that, you’ll recognize that the proceeds will directly help break the generational cycle of child abuse and neglect in Poplar Bluff through the innovative programs the proceeds support.”

Haldeman explained, Tall & Small Ball is a way of saying, “Please come make memories, regardless of your gender, race, how you identify or how you are related to your guest. We hoped to create a special event where at least one adult brings at least one child.”

Much of the rest is simply up to the attendees, she said.

“For example, if a grandmother would like to bring both her granddaughters, she can feel comfortable doing so. If a long-time friend of a family decides to bring her best friend’s kids, the group will blend right in,” Haldeman said. “If an LGBTQ couple wants to bring their adopted children, they’ll feel at home in doing so.

“If an entire traditional family wants to attend, the family will have a great time.”

This inclusive event is meant to encourage all types of families and friends to attend and make amazing memories with others in the community, she said.

There is no age requirement.

“We have families signed up that are bringing infants,” she said. “We have one beautiful lady signed up to attend who is 80 years old and is attending with a 3-year-old child. This is a special kind of community event where inclusivity is the theme.”

According to Haldeman, “super fun” things happening at the Tall & Small Ball include once the family arrives at 5 p.m., the children will be crowned with either a tiara or crown. The family will have an hour before mealtime to get their photographs taken and check out the venue.

Ink For A Cause — Kids Edition by No Quarter Trading Post, previously Divergent Studios, will be in attendance to give kid-friendly tattoos.

Prestige’ Salon will be present to do hair touch-ups. Green Oasis will be serving up homemade hot chocolate and sno-cones.

Mounds of cotton candy will be provided by Morris and Elizabeth Giles from Fisk. AtoM Entertainment will play family-friendly, trendy music for those who want to head to the dance floor to get their groove on. Throughout the night AtoM Entertainment will be providing music and entertainment designed to get the adults on the dance floor with their children.

“At 6 p.m., Tasteful Creations staff will serve a delicious meal to the guests at the tables, while superheroes and princesses by Heroes for Kids and Storybook Entertainment SEMO have photo ops with the children and families,” Haldeman said. “The entire evening, Real Life Shots Photography will take photographs of all guests, not just in front of gorgeous photo props, but also while dancing, laughing, interacting with the characters and making forever memories.”

Monetary sponsors thus far include Hillcrest Animal Hospital, Sterling Bank, Hefner Furniture, Coffman & Company, Saint Francis Medical Center, Butler County Title Company, Strategic Investment Advisors Cape, Dr. Yeoman’s Dermatology Office, The Bank of Missouri, Divine Family Eye Care, McLane Transport, First Choice Insurance, Ozark Physical Therapy, Blaich Family Dentistry, Whitworth Gift Chest Jewelers, Godfather’s Pizza, Jimmy Johns, Baldwin Chevy, Eastside Pharmacy, Walking With Jesus Ministry, Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge and Redmond Properties.

In-kind sponsors are Real Life Shots Photography, Green Oasis, Prestige Studio, No Quarter Trading Post, Morris and Elizabeth Giles, and Security One Protective Services LLC.

Also working behind the scenes are FosterAdopt Connect Advisory Board members Dr. Kathryn Bell, Dr. Amy Jackson, Dr. Ron Webb, Stephanie Webb, Carrie Schimweg, Newman, Laura William, Donna Moore and Jon Sullivan, as well as the local FosterAdopt Connect staff.