Warden Bret Bullis of Avery Mitchell Correctional was working at Mountain View Correctional in 2012 when Officer William Wright lost his life after a fall at work. Warden Bullis was introduced to CPOF when they stepped up to be there for the family of that officer. Warden Bullis was inspired to become a supporting member immediately following the interactions he saw between CPOF and the officer’s family.

Over the next 10 years, Warden Bullis promoted through the chain before becoming warden in 2022. It became his goal for his facility to gain it’s lifetime sponsorship. He worked with a great planning committee (Sue Biddix, Chad Clark, Dan Colvin, Christopher Cowart, Rena Dellinger, Angie Dotson, Beth Heintzelman, Melinda Franklin, Roger Frye, Shanielle Harvey, Marti Hughes, Mary King, Tammy Jones, Karen McMahan, Sarah Pierce, Josie Prisk, Renae Reel, Beth Walden, Chad Trivett, Alex McClure, Dustin Wiseman) on the idea of an adult, second chance 80’s themed prom.

The committee worked hard to find sponsors for this event and plan just the most fun night ever.  Their community and committee absolutely came through. They found some great sponsors:

Whitson Electric, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Great Meadows Inc, JJ Gouge and Son Oil Co., Miller Insurance, Steve Pierce Family, Grassy Creek Hardware, Mountain Time on Main, United Community Bank, Coopers Trading Inc., Jerry and Ella Markland, John’s Kwik Lube, L&L Furniture, Morgan Oil Co., Webb Funeral Home and Yancey Funeral Services.

They planned this night out without forgetting a single detail.

What they did not count on was the strongest winds this small, mountain community had ever encountered. The food truck vendors that were scheduled had to cancel, it just wasn’t safe for them to set-up. No one gave up though! Staff began to improvise and got straight to work making soups and chilis so everyone would be fed, and fed good.

Then, about an hour and a half before the prom was to start, the venue lost all power due to the storm. Staff from that facility stepped up once again. They went out searching for generators and they not only lit the venue, they made sure that the DJ had all of their lights and equipment. The power stayed off until about 10:30 that evening, but the party never stopped. Staff volunteered their time and equipment to have a very successful fundraiser. They raised over $7,700 for CPOF and to become a lifetime facility sponsor.

Thank you so much for sending in these great photos! You can absolutely feel the fun and would never know how much improvising had to be done that day!