Word spread quickly when The Celebration of Life asked for donated gowns, purses, jewelry, hair accessories and volunteers to help with makeup and hair styling.
"We had a collection of prom dresses that became overwhelming," said Tina Rusiski, president and founder of the newly formed nonprofit organization.
The Celebration of Life, with ties in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, is dedicated to providing safe, professionally directed emotional support and interdependent living and employment activities for adults with developmental disabilities.
The items and services secured for the prom will be used to help special-needs adult women feel as if they are queens for the evening for the first annual Very Special Prom for adults with disabilities. It will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. June 16 at the Bishop Anthony G. Bosco Center on Main Street in North Huntingdon Township.
Those who will be attending are invited to arrive as early as 4 p.m. the day of the prom to pick out a dress and have their hair, nails and makeup done.
To date, Rusiski said she has collected as many as 200 special occasion dresses, some from as far away as Philadelphia.
Angela Rose-O'Brien of Angela's Angels in Greensburg responded to the cause.
"We are so happy to be involved in this project," said Rose-O'Brien, who founded the nonprofit organization.
Angela's Angels provides prom wear to help economically disadvantaged junior and senior high school girls. A group of women and friends from the Laurel Highlands Chapter of the Women's Business Network helped to launch the project in 2006.
The donated dresses will become part of a permanent collection, and will be loaned each spring since this event is intended to become annual, Rusiski said.
Other generous offers came from students at Derry Area School District who allowed them to come and remove all their prom decorations, including centerpieces, floral vases and wrought iron benches.
"I was thrilled because it was a great use of recycling," Rusiski said. "Now we are ready to go. It's perfect."
As many as 36 volunteers will come to the prom, including a few employees of Target, where gowns were collected and gift cards were donated.
Epsom donated two printers so attendees will be given two digital prints of themselves that night. One will be a glamour shot and the other will be more of a candid image. Epsom also donated enough cartridges and paper for 600 prints.
Mary Kay will be sending 10 representatives to do makeup and nails two hours before the prom, and they also are providing handbags and product samples.
Rusiski explained they will have repeated buffets throughout the evening with items such as finger foods and appetizers. Around 9 p.m. a dessert buffet will feature donated Smiley cookies from Eat 'n Park and donated treats and desserts from Pastor's Special Order Bakery in Greensburg.
"It has been unbelievable," said Rusiski, adding the only thing they still need is one more computer to be used for the digital photography that evening.
"A big thank you has to go to the Diocese of Greensburg for letting us use the Bishop Bosco Center," she added.
Attendees do not require an escort, Rusiski stressed. Gentlemen may wear dress trousers and a shirt and tie. A jacket is optional and a formal tux is not necessary. Also, women may choose to attend in their own dresses and that's OK. It can either be a party or church dress, Rusiski said.
Admission is $2.50 plus a two-liter bottle of the attendee's favorite soft drink or a case of bottled water.
Those who can register in advance can send an e-mail to contact@thecelebrationoflife.net. Otherwise, attendees are welcome to just show up that night.
Detailing the evening's agenda, Rusiski said attendees will be given a quick tour when they arrive and around 6:45 p.m. those who attend will be introduced by name.
The whole idea behind the event is to give the special-needs adult population an opportunity to dress formally, enjoy music and food and socialize in a community setting that openly welcomes all regardless of physical or mental challenges.
Additionally, Rusiski said the event is being held "to announce this entire complex project to the region."
"Our project is about to mushroom," she added. "It is ready to happen on the area, and I'd like people to learn more and more about how many different options we can offer our friends with special needs."
The all-volunteer organization just got under way recently and has established an 18-member advisory board and a four-member executive board.
The beginnings for The Celebration of Life date back to 10 years ago when Rusiski was working on a research project.
"I was curious as to why there weren't more options for employment and day programs and residential options for mentally and physically disabled adults," Rusiski said.
A native of the Pittsburgh area, Rusiski had been influenced greatly by her Aunt Peg, who was mentally challenged.
"She was the most cheerful, joyous, happy soul you'd ever want to meet," Rusiski said. "I grew up with that model of a happy, exuberant outlook on life. She accepted everything God gave her in her life as a gift. That's the way I grew to understand people with a cognitive or a physical disability."
Later in life, Rusiski became a development director for a school for exceptional children.
"In that capacity, parents would take me aside and say can you help us find or determine some type of a long-term solution for our child for after we can no longer care for them," said Rusiski, who now lives in Greensburg.
Rusiski, who recently completed her master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, said the group has staff and board member affiliations with Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, St. Vincent College and the University of Pittsburgh.
"It's a huge volunteer network," she said.
The group will be pursuing a goal of developing four social enterprise businesses.
"This is going to provide a sustainable funding stream where our clients can earn their way," she explained.
She envisions four sheltered workshop and cottage industry businesses. They are:
* Hydroponic greenhouses where garden plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs would be cultivated for gourmet restaurants.
* An aquatics fishery project will provide a technology controlled environment for fish-farm varieties such as tilapia to sell to gourmet restaurants and ornamentals for aquariums.
* A farmhouse-style animal kennel and grooming salon for pampered pets.
* A wood workshop where toys, puzzles, rocking chairs, Adirondack chairs and other wooden items would be produced.
"All of these were designed to be tailor made for people with disabilities who could be fully and adequately employed in decent jobs with the right supervision. Every person's abilities can be matched in some way to levels within these industries," she explained.
To accomplish these goals, the group is hoping to be the recipient of a donation of land where all of this could be a reality.
"We thought with this prom it's a marvelous way to invite the region to become acquainted with our goals," she said.
More information can be obtained by visiting the organization's Web site thecelebrationoflife.net.
"The name The Celebration of Life was chosen because these individuals, just like my Aunt Peg, truly celebrate life," Rusiski said. "I think she's guiding it from above because it really took on added meaning and added impetus and added partners after she went on to her reward."
Other events planned by The Celebration of Life include:
* An "Agape" musical with Marty Haugen and Steve Steinbeiser will be presented Sept. 8 in the Grand Ballroom at Duquesne University and again Sept. 9 at St. Louise de Marillac in Upper St. Clair. The Christian musical celebrates unconditional love, explained Rusiski, adding performers and those working behind the scenes will be those with special needs.
* A Concert of Healing and Hope by Marty Haugen will be presented Sept. 10 in the Grand Ballroom at Duquesne University.
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