A Special Night

From left, Long Valley Middle School
students, Diana Fischer and Erin Guida, and
adult patient, Dion Alston.

More than 100 students and patients in wheelchairs danced to the music of Holiday Express and, for one night, forgot about their disabilities.  It was the annual Matheny Prom, held May 22 at The Skylands in Randolph.  The evening was billed as a “Monte Carlo Night”, and  pseudo gaming tables were set up on the fringes of the dance floor.  Dancing partners included volunteers from several high schools and middle schools, family and friends and Matheny staff.  Holiday Express is a Monmouth County-based all-volunteer band that provides music, along with friendship, gifts and financial support, to a variety of organizations ranging from hospitals to nursing homes to soup kitchens.  The prom was financed entirely through contributions as part of Matheny’s Community Connections program.