Everyone from Ariel from “The Little Mermaid” to Batman to Barbie is due to make appearances at an upcoming gala event, and it’s all for a good cause.
Crowns and Capes, a production of the Junior Service League of Brooksville, is an opportunity for kids to be princesses and princes for a day and meet and interact with their favorite fairy tale and superhero comic book characters. This community program does this with the long-term goal of helping disadvantaged girls in the Hernando County School System live their dream of becoming prom princesses.
The Junior Service League of Brooksville is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the local community. All proceeds raised support Hernando County children and residents. To learn more about JSL, please visit the Facebook page at Junior Service League of Brooksville.
Crowns and Capes, planned for Saturday, September 30, from 9 am – 11:30 am at the Silverthorn Golf and Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, Spring Hill, is a fund-raiser set to benefit JSL of Brooksville’s Belle of the Ball project.
“Belle of the Ball is our service project where we sponsor a young lady at each of the five local high schools who may not have been able to enjoy her prom experience,” said Amy Stoessel, Crowns & Capes chair and JSL Brooksville communications/public relations.
Belle of the Ball, explained Stoessel, is a community effort.
“Last school year, we had the absolute pleasure of working with our local David’s Bridal, where the ladies were each treated like an absolute princess,” she said. “This past spring, we worked with the following members of our most amazing community for their support of this very special service project: Hair: Glam by Tiffany, Makeup: Carla Marie Beauty, Facial: Divinity Med Spa, Nails/Toes: Monica at Hair Studio One and The Red Room Salon and Day Spa; Corsage: Allen’s Florist of Brooksville and Westover’s Flowers & Gifts.”
Crowns and Capes will also benefit the Junior Service League of Brooksville’s Food for Families. “Food for Families provides food for the Hernando County Students in Transition Program,” said Stoessel, “including breakfast, lunch and snacks for both winter and spring breaks.”
And as guests at this gala event support these very worthy causes, they’ll be meeting, enjoying breakfast with, taking photos with, getting autographs from and dancing with some prime Belles of the Ball. Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, Tiana, Cruella De Vil and Barbie are set to make appearances, as are crowd-pleasing heroes and heroines Mickey Mouse, Batman, Captain America, Superman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, the Miraculous Ladybug and the Cat in the Hat. Kids will also enjoy a bounce house donated by Lil Ants House of Bounce, face painting, music and raffles.
“This fundraiser originally started out as a ‘Royal Breakfast’ with a meet and greet with several princesses,” said Stoessel. “We changed it a few years later to ‘Royal Tea Party’ for a Mother’s Day Tea. Meg Lane, the chair at the time, had an idea to incorporate both girls and boys into this family event. The following year, in November 2022, Meg Lane, chair, and co-chairs, myself and Olivia McLain, introduced Crowns and Capes, featuring princesses, superheroes, and “Star Wars” characters. This year will be our biggest event yet. I’m the event chair and am joined by co-chairs Kayce Hawkins and Jessica Isaacs and our committee.”
Also joining the event this year are sponsors offering an array of fun and valuable raffle baskets. “We have some amazing raffle baskets with donations from Kendra Scott, Our Lil’ Bowtique, Bowlero, Itchy Belly, Chicken Salad Chick, Chick-fil-A, Craft Social, PRP Wine, Marc Jacobs, Baby & Me Consignment, All Things Enchanted, Crayola Experience, Zoo Tampa, MOSI, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida Aquarium and Glazer Children’s Museum, just to name a few!” said Stoessel.
Tickets for Crowns and Capes are $40 per person, with people one and under admitted free of charge. To learn more about JSL, visit the organization’s Facebook page at Junior Service League of Brooksville. Characters are subject to change. Get your tickets here at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/664620637217.
