Main fundraiser photo

Twist & Shout Prom Night

Twist & Shout Prom Night's mission is simple- to bring love, joy, happiness and nostalgia to nursing home residents through music.

We recreate 1950's prom nights at long term care facilities. So far we've brought this experience to nursing homes in Toronto, the GTA, and soon Nova Scotia, but we have a bigger vision of bringing this to seniors across Canada. 

After visiting relatives in a nursing home in Clare, Nova Scotia for a couple of years, Danielle and Briand realized how music could so easily lift the spirits of this community that is often forgotten. The idea for a seniors' prom night was, in particular, inspired by Briand's father, Alphonse, who lived his entire life as a brilliant musician, playing at dance halls as far back as the 50's. Once he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and was moved to a long term care facility, he could no longer sing or play guitar which was heartbreaking for his family and loved ones to see. 

Briand and other local musicians would often go to the nursing home where Alphonse resided to play 50's music for the residents. It was always obvious how this music put a sparkle in the residents' eyes and got their toes tapping as they sang along to hits from their youth. Since its inception, Twist & Shout Prom Night has been dedicated in loving memory of Alphonse, and all those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. 

Flash forward to January 2018 to when Twist & Shout Prom Night was born! Danielle came up with the initial idea for this nostalgic evening, began texting a few friends, and soon enough there was a full group of volunteers working together to bring Twist & Shout Prom Night to life again and again. 

Now- how can you help? Although Twist & Shout Prom Night is fully executed on a volunteers basis, there are always costs associated with these events:

- travel 
- car rentals
- decorations
- sashes for the Prom King and Queen
- corsages and boutonnieres
- band expenses (purchase of our required equipment)
- parking

etc etc....

So far, everything has been happily paid for out of our own pockets (along with minimal funding from the nursing homes), but to keep this project moving forward, we will need to raise money to make this happen, and to hopefully bring this to nursing homes where ever requested. 

Your donation would go directly to these expenses, and is the perfect way for you to help out if you cannot be at the proms themselves to volunteer. 

Twist & Shout Prom Night has brought such joy to not only the residents, but also the staff at each nursing homes, and to the team of volunteers themselves. Watching these residents sing, dance, smile, tap their toes, laugh, and be taken back to a simpler time has been
fulfilling to everyone involved in this project to say the least. 

All of us involved with Twist & Shout Prom Night would be so grateful for your donation and generosity. Help us spread love and give back to these men and women who have lived full lives and deserve to relive them, even if only for one night. 

Fundraising team (5)

Danielle LeBlanc
Organizer
Raised $360 from 7 donations
Toronto, ON
Briand Melanson
Team member
Raised $50 from 1 donation
Stephanie Guest
Team member
Raised $25 from 1 donation
Joseph O'Toole
Team member
Tharshini Parames
Team member

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