By Erin Matuczinski
Women across Central Virginia felt the Saturday Night Fever with Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation’s Mom Prom fundraiser on Saturday, April 12th. This year’s theme, “A Night at the Disco,” mixed elegance and glamour with the spunk of the 70s.
The 5th annual event has exploded in popularity since its beginning, with this year being its first at the Fredericksburg Convention Center.
More than 350 women came together to support Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation and its mission to build a Culture of Action by empowering communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to save a life.
Guests were welcomed by members of the Fredericksburg Roller Derby League and ushered into an array of experiences, including BronzedBerry’s Glitter Bar and Fika Studio’s permanent jewelry station. The main ballroom featured an expansive wine pull, a 360 photo booth, and an immensely popular LED dance floor. Michael Scott from Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio kicked off the party with his performance as John Travolta and his iconic dance moves from Saturday Night Fever.
Each admission to the event included a “Queen’s Ticket” used to nominate oneself or another as Mom Prom Queen. A prize basket full of stunning name brand accessories was up for grabs in addition to the crown, encouraging many guests to purchase additional entries in hopes of being the lucky winner. When the clock struck 10pm, previous queens Chelsea Cameron and Emily Aylor pulled a ticket and announced the 2025 Mom Prom Queen: Linda Rudd.
Rudd has supported Gwyneth’s Gift through four years of Mom Proms. It was her good friend Loretta who helped her realize that she was being called to the stage.
“First, I didn’t have my glasses on, so I wasn’t even sure I was reading my numbers right,” Rudd recalled. “When Loretta said ‘It’s you,’ I thought ‘I hope my hair isn’t a mess’ and ‘I don’t have time to put my shoes back on!’”
After receiving her crown, sash, and bouquet, Rudd was escorted to the dance floor for her celebratory dance to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”
“The event is so much fun, I tell all the ladies I know they should definitely attend,” said Rudd. “Part of my job is being an event planner, and I am always so impressed by the details and all the hard work that goes into this event. It is better every year.”
Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation is greatly appreciative of the continued support that they have received for Mom Prom, allowing the fundraiser to reach new heights.
“When looking out into the crowd, it’s hard to describe just how amazing it feels to bring so many women together for a great cause,” said Jennifer Griffin, President. “Not only are we raising money, we’re also empowering women across the region.”
Proceeds from Mom Prom 2025 will go toward supporting Gwyneth’s Gift’s mission to raise awareness of Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Fundraising events like this are vital to providing these services free of charge.
“Buying a ticket to Mom Prom means more than just having a fun night,” said Veronica Gutierrez, Director of Operations. “It gives us the opportunity to go out in the community and offer the education that is proven to save lives.”
Next year’s Mom Prom, themed “Masquerade Dreams,” will be held on April 11, 2026. You can be the first to receive new information about early bird tickets and sponsorships by going to https://gwynethsgift.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/mom-prom-april-11-2026-masquerade-dreams-fxbg-va.
About Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation: Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to saving lives through education and action. Founded in honor of Gwyneth Griffin, The Foundation focuses on raising awareness and training of Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to prevent tragic incidents and empower communities to respond effectively in emergency situations.
For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information about Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation, please contact:
Veronica Gutierrez
Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation
540-681-1632
veronica@gwynethsgift.org