SPRING FLING DINNER DANCE 2008













On Saturday, June 7th a very special event took place at the St. Coletta’s of Illinois’ Vocational Workshop in Tinley Park, IL.  The Caritas Society, an auxiliary  of the St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation, hosted a Spring Fling Dinner Dance for the special needs adults of St. Coletta’s.  The elegant evening drew about 130 people from the St. Coletta’s Workshop program.

Individuals from the community were also eager to help out with the dance.  A local Girl Scouts Troop and high school volunteers spent the evening coordinating decorations, pouring drinks and making favors in preparation for the first ever Spring Fling dinner dance. Barbara Pasquinelli, Caritas President and mother of Jimmy Pasquinelli who is a member of the St. Coletts’s workshop said, “The Girl Scout volunteers were an amazingly self-assured group, who went about their considerable duties in a most business-like manner.” Once the transformation of the room was complete, volunteers eagerly waited for their very special guests to arrive.

While the building was being prepped, the party attendees were home getting dressed up in their finest attire including party dresses, suits and ties.   The festivities then promptly began at 5pm with a social hour, and featured a seated catered meal and dancing to their favorite DJ.  The guests were so proud of how they looked.  Barbara Pasquinelli said, “The consumers were so proud and happy to be all dressed up for a party of their own.”

However, amongst the fun, the night did have its unexpected excitement.  Twice the building was placed under a tornado warning which meant the party needed to be evacuated into the halls.  “Our guests lined up and went to their assigned disaster location and assumed the duck and cover position without hesitation or panic,” stated Barbara Pasquinelli.  Everyone calmly followed orders and knew exactly what to do in situations like these, from what they have learned at their monthly drills. 

This is a great event to get special needs individuals out enjoying a function that they would not normally attend in their community.  The personal attention from their family, friends and the community truly made this evening a memorable event for all in attendance.  Each attendee had an individual photo taken which will be put into a commemorative frame that reads, “Spring Fling 2008”.  It’s an event like this that makes a special lasting impression on someone who goes through a lifetime of challenges.  

The Caritas Society is the official auxiliary of the St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation dedicated to helping children and adults with developmental disabilities and/or mental retardation. Founded in 1952 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Caritas has hosted an annual black tie dinner dance with all the proceeds benefiting the St. Coletta's of Illinois Foundation.

This year’s Caritas Benefit black-tie gala will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago.  This elegant evening amongst the City Lights will be held in the grand ballroom which features 24’ ceilings offering spectacular views.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the children and adults with special needs at St. Coletta’s. For more information about St. Coletta’s programs or events, please call 708-342-5246, or visit www.stcolettaIL.org.