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Enjoying a special night
Published 11/13/2010 in Local News
Dance creates lasting memories for Mosaic clients.
By RACHAEL GRAY
1
Brad Nading/Telegram GCCC cosmetology student Samantha Miller, right, talks with Mosiac client Kim Foth, center, as she has her hair done by Miller and Erika Hernandez Friday while having a manicure done by Shayla Waters, left, at Mosiac. The students volunteered their time to help get the facility's clients ready for their Fall Festival Ball Friday night at Garden City Recreation Commission.
Twenty-one year-old Mercedes Bassar talked with friends Friday night in the Garden City Recreation Commission's gymnasium while the music blared and the lights strobed.
Bassar, a Mosaic client, was dressed in a black gown that laced up the back with small pink sparkles on the bust. She wore her hair in ringlets, with a matching gold necklace and bracelet.
Bassar was one of about 200 people who came to the Fall Festival Ball Dance Friday night, an event for people with disabilities, and their friends and family.
For the event, community members donated gently used formal wear. Cosmetology students from Garden City Community College donated their time Friday afternoon to do hair, manicures and makeup for the women and manicures and hair for the men.
Bassar said she liked her hair, makeup and dress for the dance. She hadn't started dancing by 7:30, but said she planned to.
"I'm here with someone. I've got a date," she said.
Other clients, community members, family and friends moved to the music, provided by Tim Hendershot.
Cindy West, program services director for Mosaic, said the formal event helped clients like Bassar step out of their shells and enjoy a special night.
"It's really built her confidence. She feels really good tonight," West said.
Debbie Sulecki, Mosaic supervisor, said the clients began trying on formals and preparing for the event a week ago.
"They've been talking about it all week, and will talk about it after for another week," Sulecki said Friday night.
Sulecki, dressed in a white gown, with her hair pinned in an up-do, said she loved the event.
"It's like prom for me, too," she said and laughed.
West said through all of the donations, the event was able to come together. Wharton's donated corsages and boutonnieres for the clients. GCRC donated the use of the gymnasium, and a Mosaic staff member took professional photos of the clients.
"It was every little bit that came together," she said.
Tami Schwindt, chairwoman of the Garden City Center of Families Together, said community members and businesses donated door prizes.
"Basically, a bunch of agencies pooled together to make this possible," she said.
The event was largely made possible by SDSI, which forms and manages a network of developmental disability services and service providers in 18 Kansas counties, including Finney, Seward and Barton counties.
SDSI's network serves about 985 individuals, according to Mark Hinde, its chief executive officer.
Found 1 comment(s)!
Sp special!
This is so wonderful and says alot about the people and businesses who made it possible for this to happen! I hope that everyone had a great time. Once again kudos to all involved! God bless all of you!
Posted by: Ann on 11/13/2010