The second Jackson County Mother Son Date Knight set attendance records Saturday bringing more than 280 mothers and sons together for a night filled with dancing and other fun activities.

It also resulted in raising enough money to help 28 families in need through the annual Fraternal Order of Police Cops and Kids program, said Heather Chase, event organizer.

“Our original goal was to aim for 250, 50 more than last year,” Chase said of ticket sales. “We tried selling tickets online and it really took off.”

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The event, which ran from 6 to 9 p.m., was at Girls Inc. of Jackson County in Seymour. Several county and city law enforcement officers and their spouses served as chaperones for the night.

“It’s a great chance for law enforcement to bond with the public, bond with kids we interact with,” said Seymour Detective Sgt. C.J. Foster. “It’s a chance to get a positive name out there in a time when police could use that positive representation.”

Foster is also president of the Donald Winn FOP Lodge 108 in Seymour.

The event is similar to the annual Girls Inc. Father Daughter Dance in February but gives mothers and sons an opportunity to spend quality time together instead.

“There are lots of father daughter dances in communities but we wanted to make something for moms and sons,” Chase said.

There was music, dancing, snacks, games and prizes and couples could get their pictures taken to remember the night forever.

“I think the event came about because at the father daughter dance, several moms were sitting around and decided they wanted something too,” Foster said.

Chase said she feels the event is well received in the community as indicated by the growing attendance.

“My sole purpose was so that the boys could have fun with their moms, while the moms had a chance to relax and just be moms, no dishes, no chores, just fun,” she said.

Robyn Adair of Seymour attended the event for the second year with her two sons, Rylan, 8, and Corbin, 6.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “It’s a really fun time.”

Adair said the part she enjoyed most was that it was a chance to spend time with her boys.

Rylan said he had a good time too.

“I liked the dancing the best and playing in the gym,” he said.

Susan Jablonski of Seymour attended the event for the first time with her three sons, Lucas, 11, Micah, 9, and Caleb.

“We’ve been having a good time,” said Jablonski, “It’s a well-organized event and good chance to spend time with the boys.”

Although it’s only in its second year, attendees are making their own traditions for the Mother Son Date Knight.

“We got new clothes and went out to eat before we came here,” Adair said.

Proceeds from Mother Son Date Knight go to the FOP’s Cops and Kids Program, which allows children to shop with a local law enforcement officer for presents at Christmas.

The program is aimed at giving children in need a happier Christmas.

“I have a little boy and I couldn’t imagine not being able to get him presents at Christmas,” Chase said.

The event is one of two fundraisers for the Cops and Kids program. The other is a car show ice cream float sales during the annual Scoop the Loop event in August.