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VALENTINE FUN AT ST. COLUMBAN’S WINTER FORMAL

By SPENCER GRANT AND MARA CASEY     2/22/2023

“Oh my gosh, they’re going to have an amazing time tonight,” predicted volunteer Maritza Bravo as she registered arriving guests at the second annual Winter Formal held on Feb.10 at St. Columban Catholic Church parish in Garden Grove.

She was right.

Over 85 people had an amazing time at a Valentine-themed dinner dance for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities from the parish and the community.

Guests danced, posed for photos and enjoyed a meal that included a spaghetti dinner donated by Carolina’s Italian Restaurant in Garden Grove, plus chicken alfredo and desserts made by special education students at Bell Intermediate School.

Volunteers served the guests at their tables. It was a team effort that included music by DJ George Hoang.

St. Columban Parochial Vicar Father Paul Hoa Duy Vu offered a blessing before the dinner began.

The church’s Murphy Hall was decorated with a balloon and Valentine arch. Red and white balloons flew over each table. There was a formal photo background with red tinsel streamers and balloons for photographing groups and selfies.

The dinner dance was the dream of event organizer Hilda Mendez, a grandmother to a young person with disabilities and a member of the St. Columban’s Women’s Council which worked in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus, Council 4581 Garden Grove.

The invitation flyer encouraged guests to “Dress to Impress and Have Fun,” the night’s attire ranged from a formal gown and tiara to suits and ties to T-shirts and jeans.

A PARROTLET NAMED BLUE PERCHES ON THE FOREFINGER OF ALENA MENDOZA DURING ST. COLUMBAN’S ANNUAL WINTER FORMAL HELD ON FEB. 10. PHOTOS BY SPENCER GRANT/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

Dancing styles varied widely. Some leaped alone, others joined groups, some danced as couples while others just moved to the music by themselves. Nisha Phan provided a fun treat with her parrotlets named Blue and Yellow, who obligingly posed with guests at the photo booth.

“I wish everyone could see the fun and excitement in the eyes of each and every guest that attended our first event last April,” said Mendez. “Everyone was waiting for the next time to have fun and socialize with peers.”

“Our community needs this dinner dance,” added Women’s Council President Kathy Collens. “It gives the guests a fun and a safe environment to be themselves.”

AVA AND THANASI CHRISTOPHER DANCE DURING ST. COLUMBAN’S ANNUAL WINTER FORMAL HELD ON FEB. 10.

Last year’s dinner dance was a hit, bringing joy and gratitude from parents of the guests, so the Council decided to make it an annual event.

“This is just the beginning,” explained Mendez. “There is so much more that can be done, and I look forward to seeing these functions throughout our Diocese. If each parish held an event once a year, our parishioners would have something to look forward to, each and every month!”