Buffalo Township church hosts Valentine's-themed dance for young people with special needs

Buffalo Township’s John Hughes, clad in a red-and-white, heart-covered Hawaiian shirt, went to Zion Methodist Church with a mission Saturday night.

“I’m just here to dance and have fun and hang out with my friends,” said Hughes, 25, a native of the township’s Sarver neighborhood and a Freeport Area High School grad.

Mission accomplished as Hughes and about 100 others took to the dance floor to celebrate the church’s inaugural Valentine Snowball, a semiformal dance for young people 14 and up with special needs and their care providers.

Hughes has autism and an intellectual disability. Nothing hindered him from mingling and getting into the groove.

“A lot of these wonderful kids don’t have anywhere to go that is kind of fancy like this,” said Hughes’ mother, Bobbie Hughes.

Many attendees were seeing the world through rose-colored glasses as organizers handed out heart-shaped sunglasses with red lenses.

Rachel Bricker, 23, of Freeport was dressed for the occasion with a red sequin dress, red heart earrings and purple and red bracelets. Her mother, Lindi Bricker, styled her hair. Rachel has a genetic disorder that causes multiple involuntary movements.

Lindi Bricker said the family loved the dance and the food provided.

“It’s just awesome,” she said. “It’s wonderful for everybody to get together. Rachel was really looking forward to coming and seeing everybody.”

Rachel Bricker is a former student of Becky Ross, a retired Freeport Area elementary special education teacher and Valentine Snowball coordinator.

Ross said it was great to see a lot of familiar faces brave Saturday evening’s inclement weather to attend the event.

“It’s neat for me because a lot of these young adults that are coming, I had in kindergarten. It’s so cool to see them and get to dance with them and have fun,” Ross said.

At least 60 volunteers, including some attendees, helped with setup and decorations for the event.

Ross’ husband, Bill Ross, and his friend Jeff Cox greeted attendees in the church parking lot while holding umbrellas.

Some Freeport Area High School Key Club members distributed food and drinks while others set up a salon at the church to do hair, makeup and nails.

Freeport Area freshmen Emma Charlton and Ava Abbott helped in the salon.

“The salon was a really good environment for all of our special-needs and life-skills community, and I think that everyone here is just really sweet,” Charlton said. “Doing this is an amazing way to give back to our community and really show how much we care about everybody.”

About 20 attendees came to the salon.

“We don’t have experience, but we figured it out,” Charlton said.

“It’s a very rewarding feeling,” Abbott added. “It’s a very helpful way to help others and a very good way to give back. It’s very fun overall.”

Natalie Pollino, a Freeport Area High School life skills teacher, was among school district staffers who volunteered at the event.

“I think it’s amazing,” Pollino said. “It’s an opportunity that we don’t have a lot around here. For Becky (Ross) to be able to put this together and bring kids who are post-graduation age is amazing.”

Several local businesses chipped in to provide a buffet dinner for the event. Sponsors included Walmart, Sam’s Club, Giant Eagle, Smokin’ Toads, Starbucks, Sharp Shopper and Texas Roadhouse. Volunteers also provided mashed potatoes and desserts including rice crispy treats with heart sprinkles.

There was a special photography area in the church hall. Special guests received Valentine’s cards with their picture on them as a parting gift.