Local mentoring organization hosts Mother & Son Date Night
March 1, 2018 - Auburn, Ala.
Mothers in Lee County will have a chance to go on a date night with their sons at an event hosted by L.E.A.P.S. Mentoring in late March.
Sgt. Gregory Johnson, with the Auburn Police Division, started the Mother & Son Date Night event last year as part of his mentoring program.
The event teaches young males how to interact with their mothers in a respectful way by doing things such as holding the doors open or pulling out chairs, he said.
“So when they get older, we don’t have men out here that are disrespecting women and whatnot,” Johnson said. “They start early where they’re respecting their mom and know how to treat their mom, and I feel it’ll build a lasting effect when they’re older.”
He said that Chick-fil-A catering, prizes and DJ Ozz helped make the event successful last year, and people can expect the same this year. There will also be a photo booth and a dancing competition.
“Every young man I saw, they never sat down,” he said about last year’s event. “They danced the entire night.”
People can also find out more information about Johnson’s mentoring program, L.E.A.P.S., while at the event. He started the program in 2014 when he noticed that through his job as a police officer, he was coming into contact with a lot of young males. He wanted to have interactions with these young men that would help them become better citizens and avoid being arrested.
“I think they really appreciate having someone that they know that they can call if they have a problem,” Johnson said.
The date night event will take place on March 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. It will be located at the Frank Brown Recreation Center in Auburn.
Tickets to the date night are $15 per mother/son couple, and $5 for each additional child. It’s open to Lee County residents of all ages.
“It’s really an inexpensive way to go and enjoy a time with your son and have food, dancing and just a good time,” Johnson said.
To buy tickets, contact Johnson at (334) 475-0016 or at LeapsMentoring@yahoo.com.
This was an article I wrote for The Auburn Villager.