How to plan a Benefit Dance:
Create a plan on what you would like to do. For example, would you like to give out door prizes? Would you like to have an auction? Would you want to serve food and drinks?
Type up a letter explaining what you are doing, and for what. Include a brief description of the organization and/or NKH. Also, pictures are a great thing to add. Be sure to include what type of donation you are looking for. For example: donations for door prizes, cash donations, auction or raffle item donations, food and drink donations, etc.
Send the letters out or go to local churches, stores, businesses and others that you think might be able to help. I have found that going personally to these places is better. Some places will require your signature if they donate.
Send out letters or go to local reception halls, celebration/meeting rooms, or other gathering place where you might be able to have a dance. We had ours at a local bar that had a family room in the back, where kids could go. Look for one that will donate their space, or at least do it really cheap. Keep a list of those that donated and list them at the dance to show appreciation and send out Thank You notes as well.
Set up a band or DJ to do the dance. One way to do this is to call the local places like the above and ask them for band or DJ contacts list. You could look in papers, or ask around to find someone. Most people will donate their time if they know about the cause. Make sure to coordinate between the band/dj and the place that is donating their space.
Decide on price. Talk to the owner/manager of your venue and ask them if they have a standard price they charge, or decide what you would like to charge. For example, would you charge a set cover charge or just have it by donations only. Also, if you are serving food and drinks, what prices are you going to charge?
ADVERTISE!!! I cannot stress this one enough. Advertising is the key. Talk to local radio stations, TV stations, newspapers, businesses, etc about advertising your benefit dance. Make up flyers to advertise and set them up wherever you can. Tell everyone you know and spread the word! The more people that know about it, the better! Be sure to include: price, timeline, food, drink, and door prize, and cause information. For any business that donates a large item try to include their logo on any advertisement.