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Sams School fundraiser set for Saturday night

The 18th Annual Dinner Dance and Auction to benefit the Joseph Sams School is Saturday, May 14, from 7-11 p.m. at the 1840s plantation home of Marie and Jim Sams in Fayetteville. The event is opened to the public, but those interested must call the school at 770-461-5894 to make reservations. Cost is $100 per person, which includes dinner, dancing and access to both a silent and a live auction.

This event is one of the major fundraisers the school hosts during each school year. Sams School, a private, nonprofit school in Fayetteville, celebrates its 20th year of operations serving children who are intellectually, physically or developmentally challenged. The school relies solely on fundraisers, grants from foundations and corporations and donations from civic organizations, businesses and individuals, and receives no funding from any level of government.

This year’s auction will include a 2005 Ford Mustang provided by Allan Vigil Ford. Other items include getaway vacations, jewelry, handcrafted furniture, themed gift baskets, sporting goods and much more.

“The funds raised at this event will be used to support the numerous programs at the school and to provide us with start up revenue for the upcoming school year,” said Lana Carr, the school’s executive director.

The staff of special education teachers, paraprofessionals and therapists develops individualized educational programs for each student in the areas of cognition, language and communication, gross and fine motor skills and social and self-help skills. The school currently serves 30 children from 18 months to 15 years old, and can handle about five more. The student to teacher ratio remains intentionally low, 3:1 or 2:1.

“The one thing that has remained unchanged is the school’s learning environment,” said Marie Sams, one of three women who co-founded the school in 1984. “There is a completely individualized program for each student and a structured, predictable classroom environment.”

Marie, Mary Ann Crofton and Mary Ann Mitcham started the school out of the need for specialized education for their children with disabilities.

Key sponsors for the dinner include Dr. and Mrs. Doug Kallis; Peachtree Pediatric Dentistry; Southern Community Bank; Phizer Pharmaceutical; National Linen Company; Forest Healthcare; Dr. Ferrol Sams III, Steve and Robin Weeman; Gusto Brands Beverage Distributor; and Scott McPherson, D.D.S.