ABOUT THE BIG EVENT

The Cheers Gala is one of the largest fundraising events for Easterseals Michigan.  The event raises over $100,000 annually for the disabled community with over 500+ guests attending each year!  We’ve attended for the past two years and had a wonderful time.  But the large scale of the event had us a bit nervous at first and wondering if it was going to be too overwhelming.

The Miracle League is one of the many programs offered by Easterseals.  Caitlin has enjoyed many of the recreational opportunities offered for special needs kids including the Easterseals Miracle Dancers program.  Kids and their dance buddies practice a dance routine for 4 sessions and then show off their hard work with a performance at the Cheers Gala!

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GATHER INFORMATION

Having an overview of what to expect helps to relieve stress and anxiety. 
I like to get as much information as possible before any event. There are a number of ways to gather information: call the event organizer, ask questions of those that have attended previously, conduct on-line research of the event agenda and facility details.  For the gala, the dance coordinator and previous participants were available at each practice to answer questions   Also, the gala coordinator, came to one of the practices to address questions and concerns.

The gala was held at a unique venue, the Rochester Mills Brewing Company production facility.  Yes, that’s right, a beer factory!   We mingled with guests surrounded by towering pallets of beer, wooden kegs, production lines and shiny fermenting vessels.  The industrial warehouse setting was easy to maneuver around and provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening.

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MAKE A PLAN TO GET THERE

On-site parking at the facility was limited.  Guests were instructed to park off-site and were transported to the venue in fancy limousine buses.  Right from the start you knew you were in store for a special evening!  Unfortunately, the limo buses were not wheelchair accessible.   However, those needing extra assistance were allowed to be dropped off and park their vehicles at the venue.  The limo buses transported all evening long so you could come and go as you please.

HAVE AN ACTION AND AN EXIT PLAN

Our family will experience any range of emotions during an event, from bored to over-stimulated, relaxed to uptight.  We have found that it helps to discuss an action and an exit plan ahead of time. Topics such as:  things we will do to stay engaged and avoid boredom, strategies to avoid meltdowns and an exit plan for a variety of bad situations should they occur.

We knew from previous experience there were areas of the warehouse that were quiet to allow us to escape the busy festivities. To combat boredom, there were games to play in the docking area, casino games and silent auction items to look at.  Dancing to the music of the very talented Jason Waggoner was another option.  And, if all else failed, we agreed we could simply leave the event. Bringing familiar comfort items can also be helpful. I decided not to bring Caitlin’s comfort items, iPad with headphones and stuffed animals.  I had a tinge of uneasiness but thankfully we did not need them.

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TAKE THE MAYHEM OUT OF MEALTIME

Seating for dinner was limited.  A paid sponsorship gets a Reserved table or the other option is to arrive early to claim an open table.  We decided ahead of time that we would grab an open seat for Caitlin at any open table and then we would stand and take turns getting food and drink.  The meal was served at various stations around the venue so it worked out that one of was always up circulating the room.   In hindsight, we probably should have brought Caitlin’s transport chair to guarantee she had a place to sit. 

The menu had a “food truck” theme and was delicious! Gourmet sliders, crab tacos and chocolate-dipped churros were some featured dishes. One year there was a food truck parked in the docking bay serving tater tots!  This year they had fresh spun cotton candy from Spun Sugar Detroit.  Just what Caitlin needed for an “energy boost” before the big performance!

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THE BIG PERFORMANCE

Finally, the highlight of the evening, the Easterseals Miracle Dancers performance!  The dancers gathered in a staging area prior to the performance.  After a few words from the president of Easterseals, the dancers made their entrance.  Their performance was spectacular!!  The crowd erupted with shouts of praise and loud applause!

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A very special THANK YOU to all of the dance buddies for their dedication to this program!  It takes patience, physical strength and a loving heart for all the time spent preparing for this evening.  It is truly heartwarming to see the smiles of joy and friendships formed!

GIVE A “HEADS UP” THAT IT IS TIME TO GO

At the end of the evening, we were all pretty tired!  All the activity of the evening was sure to have us fast asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow!  But exciting events like this can be hard to leave.   And coupled with being tired could result in a difficult departure.  We let Caitlin know several times that we would be leaving soon to give her time to process the information.

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REVISIT THE GOOD MEMORIES

We often reminisce with Caitlin on the fun time she had dancing at the gala!  Looking back at good times can be the needed encouragement for successful future outings.

We hope this story helps, inspires and entertains you!  Do you have any ideas on how you stress less and enjoy more?  We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.