Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
JOY-Filled Journeys hosted its Night of JOY Prom! on Saturday, May 4, at Wakulla Springs Lodge.
JOY-Filled Journeys is a non-profit giving to those with special needs in Wakulla County. The Night of JOY! Is an event to fill your night with joy and music.
JOY-filled Journeys founder Mary Wallace strives to ensure individuals are comfortable and safe to be themselves at her events.
“Every event keeps getting better, there are so many new faces and I still have ideas and plans to grow bigger!” says Wallace.
Wallace’s daughter Sara, who has special needs herself, is credited with the new ideas of each event and is titled, “Executive Creative Director” of the corporation.
“This year we are honored again to participate with JOY-Filled Journeys and give back to our community,” said Jesse Askew, of Wakulla Springs Lodge. “It is special to provide a beautiful venue as the Lodge of Wakulla Springs to the guests, they get the beautiful space to enjoy that they deserve.”
Latisha Monroe, a special needs guest wearing a beautiful mint green dress said, “It feels good to be in my dress, it makes me feel pretty and I like the music and I get to dance with my dad.”
To accessorize the guests’ attire, Rockulla Music Emporium provided flowered corsages and boutonnieres for the guests as well as the DJ services pumping out the tunes for everyone to dance to.
To add to the fun, prizes were given away including a TV, Sounds Beats over the ear headphones, an electric scooter, mini polaroid camera, overnight stays at Wakulla Lodge, Wild Adventures tickets, Infiniti Con tickets, gift cards, and more.
Sisters Megan Martina and Marissa Isman attended the event and said, “It’s great for all of the kids to get together, dance, get their picture taken and just have fun.”
Sheriff Jared Miller and the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office was present as well as the Florida Department of Health, Wakulla County Commissioner Quincee Messersmith, and Clerk of Courts Greg James. School Resource Officers were on the dance floor having a good time at the event too; it was special to the kids to interact with the familiar everyday faces of the officers.
“I am in love with my county and that Wakulla County loves the kids,” Wallace said. “I want to thank each and every one who helped.”
To contact Mary Wallace and JOY-Filled Journeys, call (850) 228-5667, visit their Facebook Page at JOY-Filled Journeys.
