‘Special Night Out’ is fun for 320 adults with disabilities

Brittany Belton, left, and Jennifer Toler, both of Indianapolis, pose for a photograph during the “Special Night Out” party on June 7 at the Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

By Mary Ann Wyand

“Elvis” rocked the house during the “Special Night Out” for persons with disabilities on June 7 at the Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis.

Mark Sutt of Beech Grove doesn’t let his disability get in the way of expertly lip-syncing the lyrics to Elvis Presley’s songs, and the other special guests loved dancing to “The King’s” high-energy rock and roll music.

The annual event was hosted by the Kilies family from St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis, and supported by the Village of Merici as well as St. Lawrence and St. Matthew the Apostle parishes in the North Deanery.

Bishop Chatard High School’s soccer coaches and 23 of the team members helped staff the party, which featured pizza, bingo and a dance for about 320 adults with special needs from the Indianapolis area.

St. Matthew the Apostle parishioner Colleen Renie of Indianapolis is president of the Village of Merici nonprofit organization, which is named after St. Angela Merici, the patron saint of persons with disabilities.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to develop a sense of community for adults with disabilities,” Renie said. “They don’t have very many opportunities to make friends or to be together with their friends so this ‘Special Night Out’ gives them a chance to come, have fun, win [bingo] prizes and dance.”

St. Lawrence parishioner Suellen Kilies said she and her daughters, Emily and Janelle, “have a great time every year hosting the party, but I don’t think we could do it without all the volunteers. Bishop Chatard’s soccer team has supported it every year.”

The party offers entertainment, love and support to adults with special needs, Emily Kilies said, “and is an important way of giving back to the community.”

Bishop Chatard senior Nick Ruby, a member of St. Matthew Parish, has volunteered for the “Special Night Out” party since his freshman year.

“It’s nice to know that you can help somebody out,” Nick said. “We’re just making sure that everybody is having a good time.”

Bishop Chatard’s head soccer coach, Vince Ganzberg of Indianapolis, said the team also will teach soccer skills to children with disabilities during a one-day sports camp this fall because it’s a great volunteer opportunity. †