Inaugural dinner/dance is a hit
The Meet and Greet with the Stars mixer offered a social outing for those within the special needs community.
Amanda Vought, second from left, smiles as she joins a conga line dance at the Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and dance on May 29, 2026, at the Salvation Army Hall in northeast Ocala. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]
Amy Viano had a ball dancing the Cupid Shuffle, Macarena, Electric Slide and “Y.M.C.A.” with her friends at the first ever Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and dance on May 29 in Ocala.
“I danced too much,” Viano said with a grin.
The dance, held at the Salvation Army Hall on Northeast 14th Street, was the first event organized by Stars Among Us of Marion County, a nonprofit founded in early 2026 with a goal of offering “inclusive social, recreational and community opportunities” to those with special needs, according to the group’s Facebook page.
during the event. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]
“We believe everyone deserves a place to belong,” is one of the group’s posted beliefs.
Viano, 36, a graduate of Ocala’s Hillcrest School, was diagnosed with down syndrome when she was 3 days old, following surgery for an intestinal blockage, according to her father, who accompanied her to the dance and mixer.
“Amy loves all kinds of music and dancing, and loves volunteering at our church, St. Mark’s Lutheran, where we cook dinner every Wednesday night,” Bob Viano said. “Amy loves everyone and everyone loves her.”
Amy shared a few dances with Shamar Moffett, 20, who was at the event with his mom, Lataria Moffatt.
“Shamar loves dancing. He keeps me going,” Lataria Moffett said.
Amanda “Chipper” Vought brightened up the night with her big smile during a conga line dance. Her nickname comes from her being a fan of baseball star Chipper Jones.
“I’m very pleased,” she said about the dinner dance.
Vought, 41, was accompanied by her mom, Carol Vought, who shared that her daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth.
“Amanda volunteers at the library so she has her work and recreation,” Carol Vought said.
Janice West accompanied her son Brian, 51, to the mixer. He enjoyed the night out with friends, and she said she was pleased for him to get out as she feels opportunities are limited for special needs individuals to socialize.
West said Brian participates in several local special needs support groups and he’s her “best friend.”
Brian recently was a champion in the Reeling in the Good Times fishing tournament held by We Who Care of Marion County.
Stars Among Us Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and
dance on May 29. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]
“It is truly inspiring to see so many compassionate people come together to create nonprofit organizations that serve our special needs community,” Chera Ennis, president of We Who Care of Marion County, wrote in an email message.
Ennis noted that We Who Care was started in 1982 as a weekly bowling group and has grown to include dances, family picnics and recently initiated the Reeling in the Good Times fishing tournament. She said the tournament is an example of an activity “bridging gaps, building connections and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”
Ray Verno is a director with Stars Among Us and a board member of Bryan’s All Stars Sports Challenge. Of Stars Among Us, he said one of the guiding principles is “inclusion without limits.” His son, Eric, 42, was among the attendees at the event.
“There are very few opportunities for members of the special needs community to make friends,” Ray Verno said.
Theresa McCray of The Purpose group home said her resident, a 19-year-old, looked forward to the dinner dance.
Stars Among Us President Rhonda Kardell said the event was a “way for (the attendees) to gather and meet.” Kardell said many of the estimated 60 attendees and their families are also involved with other local organizations that offer help, support and social activities for people in the special needs community.
Stars Among Us officers at the inaugural event included Secretary Shirley Williams, Vice President Carleen Gooch and Treasurer Jennifer Cole.
For more information about Stars Among Us of Marion County, find the group on Facebook or call (352) 425-3530.
Some of the local organizations that offer support to the special needs community are:
* The Arc of Marion County: Adult day training, supported employment, independent living, transportation services and residential services; arcmarion.org and (352) 387-2210
* Transitions Life Center: Continuing education in life skills, social skills and recreational activities; tlcocaka.org and (352) 877-8999
* Champions for Champions: Provides educational, social, sports, music, arts, job training, and life skill programs; championsforchampions.org and (352) 462-0380
* We Who Care of Marion County: Inclusive programs for individuals with all disabilities, along with support for families, guardians, caregivers and group homes; wewhocare.org and (352) 277-4728
* Bryan’s All Stars Challenge Sports: Opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence and fitness through community sports amongst their peers; bryansallstars.org
* Special Olympics Florida/Northeast Florida Area 3: specialolympicsflorida.org/northeast
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