Guest column: Emory Valley Center ‘Dances the Night Away’ at Prom

The Elks Lodge in Oak Ridge hosted a prom for more than 100 Emory Valley Center clients and their staff on Saturday evening, May 31. The theme for the prom was “Dance the Night Away,” with the Elks Lodge transformed into a disco decorated in silver, black, and white for the evening.

The Oak Ridge Boat Club donated to secure Viki Ward as the DJ for the evening. Ward and her dancers kept the music going and added to the fun of the evening. Those attending also had a wide variety of food and drinks available donated by volunteers with the Elks, Food City, Food Lion, Kroger, and Walmart in Oak Ridge. The Arc of Anderson County also made a donation in support of the prom.

The ladies attending each received a wrist corsage and the men a special lapel pin, and everyone had a bag of “goodies” to take home with them. Photos were taken of attendees and put into special prom frames for everyone to have a memento of their special evening. One of the highlights of the evening was when the Prom Prince and Princess and Prom King and Queen were crowned. After they were crowned, they were spotlighted in a special dance and then invited the rest of the crowd to join them.

“It was a memorable evening for all that attended. We are so thankful for our community partners like the Elks Lodge who support the Center and our mission” said Jennifer Enderson, president of Emory Valley Center.

Emory Valley Center has been meeting the needs of the intellectually and developmentally disabled in our community since 1955. The agency currently provides a comprehensive array of educational, vocational, residential, and rehabilitation services, programs, and support to over 850 adults and children with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities located in 16 East Tennessee counties.

To learn more about Emory Valley Center and their programs and services, visit www.emoryvalleycenter.com and like them on Facebook for program and event photos at www.facebook.com/emoryvalleycenter.

Emory Valley Center is continuing to accept donations for their Capital Campaign from generous individual and business supporters throughout the community. If you would like to donate to Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign, please contact Janet Wood, development director, via email at janet.wood@emoryvalleycenter.com or call (865) 813-0576.