The lights were bright, the tables were set and the dance floor was wide open last Saturday night as 90 special needs residents marched into the Kirbo Center dressed up for the fifth annual Snowflake Ball.
“This is the biggest we’ve ever had,” event organizer Jim Beck said.
Last year had around 70 attendees, but Beck was excited to see so many more people come and join the fun. Anyone with special needs from age 16 and up was invited to dress out, socialize and, of course, dance.
Everything from limousines to a horse-drawn carriage brought attendees to the front entrance of the Kirbo Center.
Everyone’s name was announced as they held the promenade to spotlight everyone who was in attendance.
“The promenade is very important to them,” Beck said. “When they were in school, they never got the promenade. So it gives them a chance just to get them individually to show their stuff. That’s so important to anybody.”
But another big draw is the opportunity to get dressed up for the evening, Beck said. If someone who wants to attend doesn’t have access to dress clothes, that’s no problem.
“If somebody comes to us and they want to come but they don’t have anything to wear, we find them something,” Beck said.
The effort from the Pines Decatur-Seminole Service Center to get special needs residents engaged really helped make this year’s Snowflake Ball a success, according to Beck. A portion of Saturday’s crowd came from Bainbridge High School, a handful come from the community and the majority came from the Pines Service Center.
Refreshments were provided and served by the Bainbridge Pilot Club.