My boyfriend and I recently volunteered for the third annual Joy Prom that is put on by the First Baptist Chruch in Plainfield. The Prom was so remarkable that the Indy Star and Hendricks County Flyer were there to write about it. I have included their articles below.
Prom is joyful experience - Indy Star
Slow dances, fast dances, they rocked to all the tunes played by a disc jockey at the third annual Joy Prom on Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Plainfield. The formal prom, with a theme of "cherished memories," was for the mentally and physically challenged in the metro area, mostly ages 15 to 40. It drew about 235 dancers plus about 180 volunteers, families, guests and dates. If they didn't have a suit or a fancy dress, the church provided one. Just before the dance, volunteers helped with the finishing touches for the partygoers, like hair styling, manicures and shoe shines.
"This is something that just brings joy to everybody's heart," said event organizer Andrea Hamilton. "Parents told me they just get joy from watching their kids be so happy."
Among the volunteers, Alan Murphy, a staffer at the Indiana Department of Correction in Plainfield, played the music. Photographers John Essex and Kelly Eva took the formal pictures. The church provided snacks and lemon-lime punch. Special Olympics recruited 18 new athletes at the dance. Duke Energy provided a $1,000 grant. Claire's jewelry and the Fashion Bug donated sparkling jewelry and clothes for the occasion.
Hamilton already has begun planning for next year, and possibly for a second event this year, like a sock hop.
"Everyone seemed so happy. One mother thanked us for the nice evening, but she was crying, so it kind of came out in sobs."
-- Bruce C. Smith
Dancing the night away - Hendricks County Flyer
Third annual Joy Prom keeps all its usual flare
By Brian Kern
PLAINFIELD — Whether it be the Electric Slide, the Macarena, or the Loc-o-motion, there were no wallflowers to be found last Saturday evening at the First Baptist Church of Plainfield as special needs individuals young and old gathered for the church’s third annual Joy Prom.The event has rapidly grown in popularity, courtesy of its success in providing what Joy Prom Director Andrea Hamilton described as a “much needed social outlet” for the mentally and physically disabled across Hendricks County and surrounding areas.Some 236 guests were in attendance for the formal dance, most vested in their best tuxedos and prom dresses. Much of the apparel was tailored by First Baptist volunteers at no charge to Joy Prom participants. Volunteers also provided corsages and boutonnieres for prom goers and their dates.“I had visited a church that had planned to do one and when I’d left our church before I even put it in the bulletin I had four people volunteer to be co-chairs,” Hamilton said. “It has become something that has touched people’s hearts.”She noted that preparation for the much hailed event begins each January and involves the mobilization of almost 200 volunteers. Nevertheless, Hamilton says that the outcome is always worth the investment because special needs individuals often lack opportunities to experience social interaction and recreation time.Mia Nolcolx, a parent of a special needs student and a Pike Township volunteer, was one of many parents proud to see their sons and daughters have the opportunity to interact with others and to participate in a prom night.“They are having a fabulous time tonight,” Nolcolx said. “They’ve got freedom to be themselves and they are having a great time and I’m really enjoying watching them.”Christie Alvey, a special education teacher at Ben Davis High School, said that she had been anticipating the Joy Prom for quite some time.“Last year was our first year participating and this is by far my favorite day of the entire year,” Alvey said. “This year we teamed with the football team and the kids had a catered dinner and came here in a limo so that was pretty neat.”The dance might have lasted three hours, but most prom goers may have been content to dance all night. An airing of the Loc-o-motion left only a tiny handful of individuals to abstain from an otherwise massive human train, which joyfully voyaged throughout the church.
