Ashley Cecil

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It’s no surprise that my best friend works for a refugee resettlement office in Columbus, Ohio (it’s up my alley, right?). Well, although I wasn’t surprised, the other patrons of a Columbus karaoke bar, to put it lightly, were shocked to see the odd group my friend gathered for her birthday/refugee family benefit ball last night.

Guests of her party were instructed to dust off old prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, tuxes, or anything that fit the hodge-podge “ball attire,” and more importantly to bring household goods in a gift basket for a refugee family that her agency is working with. It was also disclosed that we would be visiting a nearby karaoke bar…in our formal wear.

So, we left her kitchen, filled with things such a mop, sheets, and cleaning supplies, to take over the song queue and serenade our onlookers (and look on they did). When was the last time you saw prom queens and bridesmaids singing Gladys Knight hits fully accessorized with one tiara, one pair of orange pumas under a pink chiffon skirt, and enough bobby pins to hold down Rapunzel’s hair?

A great time was had by all, and I’m sure the happiness will be trickling on long afterwards when the refugee family receives their gift baskets! What a great and meaningful way to celebrate your birthday.

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