When it comes to a Mayor’s Ball, La Porte really knows how to throw one. On Friday night the La Porte community came out to celebrate at the 2015 Mayor’s Ball. The Ball not only calls out for people to come together and have a good time with their Mayor, but it also provides an opportunity to raise money for the Mayor’s cause of choice.
This year, and for the past few years, Mayor Milo has chosen substance abuse prevention programs as her designated charity of choice. Last year, Mayor Milo was able to donate a total of $20,000 - a total amount that was saved from her first three Mayor’ s Balls - to help establish the Frontline Foundation in Northwest Indiana. Though Mayor Milo has not yet decided where the proceeds of the 2015 Ball will be going to, she does know that it will be going to a program that also continues to help fight the city’s substance abuse issues.
“This is really a way that we can help garner support from the community to help battle substance abuse.” Mayor Milo stated. “I think it’s really important to help support those causes through an event like the Mayor’s Ball because it comes from the support of the community. It’s not from some singular fund, or government money - this is helping people who have to make difficult choices and I think that’s an important message to be able to get out.”
Click here to see all the photos from the 2015 Mayor's Ball.
Over 400 people made their way to the Civic Auditorium tonight to be a part of the Mayor’s Ball, and even if they didn’t have a direct involvement with the fundraising at hand, they were still a major contributor to advancing change in their community just by being there. Though they might have been there for the Ball itself, all of the attendees were aware and proud of their help in raising money.
Elena Mrozinke, a teacher at Indiana University Northwest, said that being able to help better La Porte was really the highlight of her night.
“What I really enjoy about tonight is that this event raises a lot of money for great local organizations that help combat some real issues in our community.” Mrozinke explained. “To be able to have a great time and at the same time contributing to making a difference to our local area is a win across the board.”
The Ball, however, is still a party for the city. Dionne Lovstad-Jones, a Constituent Relations Manager at Lutheran Hour Ministries, said that the night was also a great night out to celebrate with the people of her city.
“It’s a great opportunity to continue to be a part of the community.” Lovstad-Jones stated. “I work from home and I don’t really get have the opportunity to see and meet all of these people. It’s a really meaningful experience to me to be here, but also to be helping fund something that’s such an important effort to La Porte.”
The attendees were treated to a wide array of food and sweets from Portifino Grill, a cash bar, and live music from the Tom Milo Big Band (which is a band that features the Mayor’s parents). Guests chatted, danced, and laughed the night away under the gorgeously decorated fairy lights that adorned the Civic Auditorium. From beginning to end, the ball radiated positive energy, which is a direct correlation to the party’s host - Mayor Milo.
“You can’t get a better spokesperson for La Porte other than Blair Milo.” Cindy Hall, Executive Director for Resource Development at Ivy Tech, stated. “I think that it’s important that everybody rally around her in what she’s doing to make a better community and life for the citizens here in La Porte. The Mayor’s a huge advocate for the what’s needed here, and tonight does really show how much the community believes in that.”
In all, the 2015 La Porte Mayor’s Ball was a hit throughout every aspect. The Ball itself was a great night for everyone who attended, but the lasting effects for the people that the fundraising impacts will be even greater.