On October 26th, this year’s Sweethearts Ball took place at the Wildwood Convention Center. Dressed in costumes and accompanied by chaperones and friends, over 280 guests enjoyed a live DJ, dancing, and dinner together. This special annual night was founded over 15 years ago by Rose Kuprianov. Rose shared with us how the Sweethearts Ball first got started:
“In 2003, my daughter Natalie, who has Down’s Syndrome, was graduating from Cape May County Schools for Special Services. During the summer, she attended Camp Sun ‘n’ Fun for two weeks and met a gentleman, and they became a couple. In December, Cumberland County threw a Christmas dance with a live DJ and buffet luncheon. This was an annual event. Now, Natalie could not attend the Cape May County Special Services Prom unless a current student invited her. As a member of the RFSPC#10, we had annual visits from the family support liaison who was employed by DDD. Many of our discussions included the lack of recreational opportunities for folks with physical and intellectual disabilities. Her advice was that if the parents do not initiate programs, no one else would.
The following year, I approached the individual from Cumberland County and asked how he was able to fund the Christmas event. At the time, the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, offered a Recreational Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) grant. One of my favorite children’s books is The Me Too Iguana. I apply this principal whenever I find that another town is providing a fun event for those with ID/physical disabilities. So I approached the City of Wildwood, who applied for the grant the following year, and was awarded a $1000 grant. Initially, around 42 people attended. The attendees were treated to a sit-down dinner with salad, a main course, rolls, and dessert, along with pitchers of water and/or iced tea. Each year following, the number of attendees has grown.
This year, on October 26, 2025, we had registered 285 guests. The ROID grant was discontinued so we get support from service organizations in Cape May County, with the largest donations coming from Mike’s Seafood Walk and Run for Autism and the North Wildwood Elks. Marie’s Flowers in Wildwood Crest graciously provides fresh cut flower centerpieces for each of the tables (we have 34 tables this year). Since we moved the event to the last Sunday in October, the attendees have the choice of dressing up in semi formal attire or Halloween garb. The Wildwood Convention Center employees are so very gracious to the guests truly treating them like the royalty they are.”
Thank you to Rose for putting together such a magical event! The Arc of Cape May County is proud to support the Sweethearts Ball each year.