THE ENERGY WAS pure joy as the St. Columban’s Women’s Council celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with “Shake Your Shamrocks,” the fourth annual dinner dance for adults with disabilities at St. Columban parish in Garden Grove.
ALENA MENDOZA AND STEVEN SOLANO STRIKE A POSE UNDER THE BALLOON ARCH. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Hilda Mendez, vice president of the Women’s Council, called the annual event, which was held on March 14, “her baby.” Her inspiration was her grandson Markus Morales, age 35, who is part of the Empower Day Program in Stanton.
MARKUS MORALES (LEFT) POSES WITH SOME FRIENDS AT “SHAKE YOUR SHAMROCKS,” THE FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER DANCE FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AT ST. COLUMBAN PARISH IN GARDEN GROVE.
“Markus is an honorary member of the Women’s Club,” said Mendez. “He goes out of his way to help us all the time.”
Mendez shared that Markus has a general disability and functions at a 13-year old level, but nothing stops him. He is also an entrepreneur. He goes up and down the main street and offers services like cleaning to the businesses.
“Markus never sits still,” she shared. “He’s an avid basketball player, swimmer and dancer.”
The dinner and dance is held annually at St. Columban for adults with intellectual or physical disabilities.
“Our Women’s Council chose to do this because there aren’t many safe spaces for adults with disabilities to go and have fun,” said Mendez. “This is a chance for them to get all dressed up and enjoy an evening out with dinner, dancing and community – just like anyone else.”
HILDA MENDEZ, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ST. COLUMBAN WOMEN’S COUNCIL, DISTRIBUTES NECKLACES.
Guests are invited to the event through the Empower Community, which focuses on life skills and academics, the Comfort Connection Family Resource Center in Santa Ana and the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC).
“All these organizations do so much good for our community,” said Mendez, “so we are happy to provide this special evening for their clients.”
The response was tremendous.
TESSA THAN (RIGHT), PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF RARE DISORDERS (NORD) AT UC-IRVINE, AND AVA FAGNANI, FELLOW NORD VOLUNTEER, HELP OUT DURING THE DANCE. NORD EDUCATES, ADVOCATES AND PROMOTES INCLUSIVITY FOR THOSE LIVING WITH RARE DISORDERS WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
The Women’s Club set up for 150, and every seat was filled – maybe a little more.
“It keeps growing every year,” said Mendez.
Murphy Hall at St. Columban was decked out in St. Patrick’s Day style – from a green and white balloon arch over the dance floor, table and wall decorations, a DJ and a party photo booth. Revelers enjoyed a spaghetti dinner with salad and bread, plus dessert. Best of all, the partyers danced like they were showing TikTok how it’s done.
The ladies of the Women’s Council also put together gift baskets, raffle prizes and parting gifts for each attendee. They raised about $6,000 for the event, including a generous $1,000 donation from the Knights of Columbus.
Alena Mendoza came with her boyfriend, Steven Espinoza, dressed up to dance.
“Steven goes to St. Columban and told me about this dance,” recalled Mendoza. “I love to dance, so this is great.”
The Women’s Council began in 1935 when Orange Count was primarily agricultural and part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Today, there are about 25 members who are as active as ever.
“I think we’re one of the oldest parish clubs in the Diocese,” said Mendez. “When we began in the 1930s, the ladies held bake sales and other events to raise funds to contribute to the founding of St. Columban. A site was eventually purchased on the corner of Nelson and Stanford in Garden Grove.”
Things haven’t changed much as far as their fundraising. The club holds several events throughout the year, including their Noel Festival, which is held on the first Sunday of December.
“We invite vendors who have been coming for years; sometimes, we have as many as 35,” shared Mendez.
They sell food items that reflect the diversity of the community, including Mexican, Filipino and Vietnamese. There also a waiting list of vendors who want to participate.
As successful as these annual dinner dancers are, Mendez isn’t quite satisfied.
“I’m hoping other parishes join us in providing fun activities for this wonderful community,” she said.
The next dinner dance is already scheduled for April 17, 2026, and will have a spring theme. If anyone wants more information on putting together this type of event in their parish, please reach out to Hilda Mendez at hilda.a.mendez@gmail.com