The Spark of Night Prom is the brainchild of the staff members of United Cerebral Palsy of San Joaquin, a nonprofit organization, who’s Mission it is to: Enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing services that enable them to realize their goals and achieve their highest level of independence. The staffs’ goal was to provide a prom with all the glitz and glamour for individuals living with a disability in the San Joaquin County and provide them with a memorable prom experience.
It was important that there was no cost to the participants. And, UCP would remove any possible obstacles preventing someone from attending. The first thing to do was to find a place to hold the event. After calling around they quickly found that most places were too expensive, but one was willing to help out. A group of young college men attending the University of the Pacific were interested in donating to our cause. The fraternity Xi Chi Sigma had an officer whose relative was disable and felt the need to extend a helping hand. These young men quickly went to work and arranged for UCP to hold their first prom in the beautiful DeRosa University Center as an in-kind donation.
UCP partnered with Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and Men’s Warehouse to provide formal dresses and suits for the participants to rental free of charge. Local hair stylists banded together to provide hair and makeovers for both the ladies and the men prior to the event. Our gracious community came together to pay for the party decorations, a DJ, photo booth and food to round out the event. Each year professional photographers donate their time.
Our 2nd Annual Spark of Night was once again held at the DeRosa University Center where participants could enjoy a formal event followed by several hours of music, dancing and keepsake photos. Our prom was a great success with over 300 people in attendance and nearly 100 volunteers giving of their time.
The family members were even more excited than the participants. Many parents had given up on watching their child experience prom. Tears streamed from many of the parents and extended family members faces who tagged along to take photos.
One of the donating vendors, Tim Ulmer was heard describing the event as one of the most moving events he had ever attended. The look of pure joy of the participant’s faces has Tim already volunteering for next year’s prom.
The evening always ends with participants and family members giving thanks for a wonderful event and a priceless memory.
