Stone Belt organizes Valentines Day dance for Best Buddies

The gym in Stone Belt was loud with pop music and brightly colored with flashing lights.

People wearing red, pink and purple outfits occupied the dance floor.

Best Buddies Bloomington and Stone Belt organized a Valentine’s Day-themed dance party Saturday night at the center in Bloomington.

Best Buddies Colleges pairs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with college students, allowing them to form friendships and interact, according to the organization’s website.

Its goal is to establish a movement in global volunteering to create more of these close friendships, develop leadership skills and receive employment opportunities.

“Stone Belt is a large provider of service to individuals with developmental disabilities in south central Indiana,” CEO Leslie Green said. “Our main goal for this event is to bring forth more volunteers to the center and promote Best Buddies’ mission for peace and tolerance.”

The party included karaoke, cookie decorating, interactive games and making Valentine’s cards.

Many Best Buddies Bloomington chapter members were in attendance alongside Bloomington supporters.   

Members of the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation attended the event as companions to the buddies, playing with them as well as assisting with their needs.

The women of Zeta are involved in an assortment of different volunteer organizations on campus, most specifically Best Buddies.

Best Buddies members said the event was an opportunity to show love and acceptance.

“We want all of our friends at Best Buddies to feel special and loved by all of our friends,” member Jocelyn Matthew said. “That’s why we brought them here to Bloomington to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

Everyone stayed active, running back and forth from the gym to sing and dance and the cafeteria to make festive crafts.

Parents and supporters said they were pleased with the celebration and turnout for the event.

“It’s great to see these individuals enjoying themselves and getting the opportunity to associate with IU students,” said Patrick Olson, Best Buddies supporter and Bloomington resident. “It is truly a rewarding experience seeing them form relationships with people, and in return, people like us are rewarded by being able to learn more about them.”

Follow reporter Anthony Broderick on Twitter @aebrodakirck.