The Welcome & Meal:
From the moment guests arrived, they were welcomed by the warmth and support of our amazing community. The room was beautifully decorated with long white tables, miniature black folding chairs, and each guest’s name marking their place at the table. Table hosts greeted guests as they arrived, offering encouragement and sharing more about the mission of Able to Serve.
Guests then gathered for a delicious dinner catered by Angie’s Restaurant, creating a wonderful opportunity to fellowship, connect, and enjoy a meal together. Throughout the room, black-draped tables featured program booklets designed to resemble place settings, while centerpieces highlighted photos of ATS participants and the unique gifts they bring to the table.
Guests could also visit a long table filled with beautifully donated desserts available through the silent auction. These sweet treats gave guests another opportunity to support Able to Serve while bidding to take home a favorite dessert. From the decorations to the meal and the thoughtful details throughout the room, every part of the evening helped create a welcoming place at the table for our guests.
The Program:
One of the most special parts of the evening was celebrating the gifts and talents of our participants! Throughout the program, participants shared their talents in many different ways—from singing and playing instruments to performing a musical number, participating in a tennis exercise, and reading excerpts from some of their favorite books. Each presentation gave guests a glimpse into the unique personalities, interests, and abilities of the individuals we serve.
A particularly meaningful moment came when all of our participants joined together to sing and perform motions to “Gratitude.” We also heard from Lorrie and Todd Walter, parents of ATS participant Seth Walters, who shared how Able to Serve has encouraged Seth and their family. Their testimony was a beautiful reminder of the importance of having a place where individuals can be encouraged to use their gifts, build relationships, and be part of a community.
The evening concluded with an opportunity for guests to respond through giving, prayer requests, and continued support of the mission of Able to Serve.
Impact:
We were so honored to have over 430 attendees at the dinner and 234 items donated for the Silent Auction. We are so proud of our participants and the courage, excitement, and joy they brought to the evening. Watching them step forward to sing, perform, share their interests, and showcase their abilities was a beautiful reminder of just how much there is to celebrate in each individual. Their gifts and talents brought so much joy to the room and gave our guests an opportunity to see them in a new way.
The evening also reminded us that everyone has something to bring to the table. At Able to Serve, we want to create opportunities for adults with disabilities to discover their gifts, grow in confidence, and use their abilities to serve and encourage others. When participants are given the opportunity to share what they can do, they are not only growing themselves—they are making an impact on the people around them.
As we close this chapter of A Seat at the Table, we hope you will carry this message with you: you have something to bring to the table. God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and abilities, and we are called to use them to serve others and make a difference.
Continue to look for opportunities to use what God has given you. Invite Him to use your gifts, your time, and your talents for His purpose. You never know how one act of service, one shared gift, or one simple “yes” can make room for someone else.
Let’s continue to use what God has given us, trust Him with our gifts, and make room for more.
Special Thanks:
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this special evening possible. A heartfelt thank you to Garner United Methodist Church for generously serving as our host building, and to our ATS staff, volunteers, participants, and families who worked so hard behind the scenes and throughout the evening. We are also thankful to Angie’s Restaurant for providing the delicious catering and to Capital Production Group for helping bring the evening to life with sound. We are deeply grateful to our Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsors, whose generosity continues to make opportunities possible for the adults we serve. Thank you as well to Joseph C. Woodard Printing Company for providing our programs and to our dedicated Board Members for their continued leadership, hard work and support.
From our volunteers and table hosts to our sponsors, donors, families, participants, and guests, each person played an important part in making room for more. Your generosity, time, and support allow Able to Serve to continue creating opportunities for adults with disabilities to discover their gifts, pursue their goals, and share their abilities with others. Thank you for believing in our participants, celebrating their gifts, and continuing to stand alongside Able to Serve.
Contributing Writer: Barbara Culler, ATS Volunteer Writer
