43
Purple Cat clients celebrate prom
By SARAH Lehr
STRUTHERS
For prom, Purple Cat client Carmen Jones painted her nails red and chose a red bow tie to match.
The bow tie was a nod to the event’s theme, “Joe Gallagher’s Birthday.”
Purple Cat, a company dedicated to adults with mental and physical challenges, and its partner nonprofit organization, Golden String, host a prom every year.
This year, the party fell on the birthday of Joe Gallagher, the first Purple Cat client.
Gallagher, who had Down syndrome, died in 2011 at age 69.
To pay tribute to Gallagher, many attendees Saturday evening wore suspenders and bow ties – Gallagher’s typical outfit – to prom, which took place at the St. Nicholas Church Great Hall.
Organizers also gave out bow ties as party favors and served ice cream sandwiches, Gallagher’s favorite dessert.
Table decorations of transistor radios and irons honored Gallagher’s love of music and his fastidious attention to his attire.
Partygoers even had the opportunity to snap photos with a life-sized Joe Gallagher cut-out.
“Our folks kind of look at Joe Gallagher as George Washington,” said Jimmy Sutman, owner and director of the Purple Cat. “They’re used to hearing about him all the time.”
Nearly 200 Purple Cat clients attended the prom, and Purple Cat buses provided transportation for about 35 of them. One bus driver bought corsages for all his passengers.
Several area parishes helped organize the event, including Christ Our Savior, Holy Family, St. Luke, St. Patrick and Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Members of local youth ministries volunteered at the prom, and The Balloon Doctor of Boardman donated decorations.
Alvera Bell, director of spiritual growth at Christ Our Savior parish, said she believes exposure to those with disabilities is essential to creating understanding.
“People fear the unknown,” she said.
Bell gestured at the crowded dance floor and affirmed the event was a success.
“All you have to do is look around you at their faces and see the joy and the happiness,” Bell said.