ABOUT

In the spring of 2023, while helping her daughter prepare for prom, Julie Olinger found herself wishing there was a similar event for moms. She remembered hearing about a "Mom Prom" years ago in Newark, Ohio, and began researching the idea. To her surprise, she discovered that Mom Prom was a charity event concept celebrated in communities across the country.

Inspired by the idea of combining a fun night out with community giving, Julie knew she wanted to bring Mom Prom back to Licking County. As planning began, a mutual friend introduced her to Abbie McIlyar, whose community connections, enthusiasm, and passion for helping others made her the perfect partner. Together, Julie and Abbie became the ultimate party-planning duo.

Their first Mom Prom was a tremendous success, raising $4,184 for HOPE Landing, an organization dedicated to supporting young adults aging out of the foster care system.

The following year, Mom Prom raised more than $4,000 for Victims Services of East Central Ohio, helping provide support and resources to women and children facing crisis situations.

Their third event raised $4,812 for A Night to Shine, a program that creates unforgettable prom experiences for individuals with special needs.

In 2025, the Mom Prom community came together in a deeply personal way to support Abbie McIlyar after she was involved in a devastating accident that nearly claimed her life. Through the generosity of attendees, sponsors, donors, and volunteers, Mom Prom raised $4,041 to assist Abbie during her recovery journey. Being able to support someone who helped build Mom Prom from the beginning made the evening especially meaningful, and Julie is grateful that the event could play a small role in helping Abbie and her family during such a difficult time.

Today, Mom Prom continues to grow beyond anything Julie originally imagined. What started as a simple idea while helping her daughter get ready for prom has become an annual tradition that brings women together for a night of fun, friendship, and giving back.

As preparations begin for the 2026 event, Julie is assembling a dedicated Mom Prom Planning Committee to help bring fresh ideas, new energy, and even more community involvement to the event. With the support of volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, and attendees, the vision for Mom Prom is bigger than ever.

Together, we have raised more than $17,000 for causes and individuals right here in our community, and we're just getting started.

2026 is going to be amazing, and we hope you'll be part of it.