Vienna Church Provides Prom To Remember For People With Disabilities

VIENNA, VA — It was a memorable night for guests and volunteers alike at the Be Our Guest Prom, an inclusive event for people with special needs at Vienna Presbyterian Church last Friday.

This was the second year the church organized a prom for people with disabilities to attend with buddies. Parents and guardians could attend to enjoy a meal while their children spent time with buddies. There were 71 guests, 51 buddies, over 80 parents and guardians and hundreds of volunteers attending, Sue Hamblen, director of missions for Vienna Presbyterian Church, told Patch.

"What a tremendous message it sends to families of loved ones with special needs when the entire community — faith, education, business, non-profit — pulls together to support them, letting them know that they and their children are seen and valued as part of our life here together in Vienna and beyond," said Vienna Presbyterian Church's Lead Pastor Hope Lee.

Some of the activities guests enjoyed were dancing, karaoke, getting their hair glittered or made into fairy hair, a photo booth, glow room, game room, food and desserts. Numerous local restaurants provided the desserts, including Coco, Curbside Cupcakes, Fresh Market, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Giant of Oakton and Vienna, Hallmark, MidnighTreats, Sweet Gratitude Bakehouse, Sweet Leaf, Terra’s Ice Cream & Sweets, Tony’s Pizza, MOD Pizza and Panera Bread.

Volunteers signed up to help with set up and cleanup or with tasks during the event. The Vienna Business Association contributed $500 toward food from Nozzo Pazzo for parents and guardians, while Lydia Russo and One Neighborhood Foundation provided Chick-fil-A for guests and buddies.

"I’d especially like to thank the hundreds of volunteers who decorated for 3 days, served and cleaned up for the event," said Sue Hamblen, director of missions for Vienna Presbyterian Church.