Special Olympics, Church Hosting 'An Evening Under The Stars'
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Special Olympics of Kosciusko County is joining up with First Christian Church in Warsaw to host “An Evening Under the Stars” for Special Olympics athletes and others in the handicapped community. The formal, prom-like dance is 6 to 8 p.m. June 22 at the church, 115 Park Ridge Drive, Warsaw. Attendees must RSVP by June 8 at 574-267-8952. Formal attire is suggested, but not required. Refreshments will be available, and pictures taken. The organizations also are requesting the community donate gently used formal wear. Clothing, monetary or other donations may be made by contacting the church or dropped off at the church. Becky Walls, county coordinator for Special Olympics of Kosciusko County, said First Christian Connections Minister Jon Hembree contacted her about the church hosting a dance. “We have a dance every other month at Cardinal Services,” Walls said. “He asked me if they could host one out here. I said sure, but they wanted to do a formal dance. I said OK, but I didn’t want to eliminate any athlete who couldn’t or didn’t want to dress up. Everyone so far has just been really excited about it.” Hembree said, “One of the things we as a church want to do is reach out to the community. I feel the handicapped community is forgotten, by the church, too. I wanted to do something special for them and pile on the love. I heard other churches have done something like this, too.” The formal dance will be held in the church’s multi-purpose auditorium. “Part of the vision for this is if we can blow the best senior prom out of the water,” said Hembree. “We want to make it real special.” Walls said the community could help by donating dress coats, ties, dress shirts, dresses and other formal wear. “We want to make it available for everyone as much as possible,” Hembree said. Donations need to be made by June 15 so organizers know what they have and need. At its bi-monthly regular dances, Walls said they have 50 to 75 people. “But with this,” she said, “we could have as many as 100.” “If folks want to come and volunteer and be a part of it, I’m sure we can find something for them to do,” Hembree said. Walls said they would like to give each participant a flower, such as a carnation. Hembree said it would be nice if someone could donate flowers for that. Cardinal Services, Walls said, is supportive of the event. Our Father’s House is willing to give the formal wear it has to people for the event. All they have to do is stop by Our Father’s House and ask, according to Hembree. “I’d love to see it become an annual thing, but we will see how this one goes first,” said Hembree. After past dances, Walls said participants ask when the next dance will be. Some of them really look forward to the dances.
