WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (WVDN) – Nestled in the quaint town of White Sulphur Springs, you will find all of the charms that one might expect. There are cute shops, locally-owned restaurants and just enough stoplights to keep the traffic flowing while reminding you that you are very much a part of a small town. Next month, a collaborative effort will bring supporters together at the hotel for an excellent cause, and it’s all happening in one night. The Disability Opportunity Fund, in conjunction with The Schoolhouse Hotel, will host the inaugural STRIDE (Supporting and Transforming Rights, Inclusion and Disability Empowerment) Gala on July 27, 2023. All proceeds from the event will benefit people with disabilities in Greenbrier County.
“We want to be able to answer the call for our neighbors in need,” said Genny Freiman, Chief Operating Officer for The Disability Opportunity Fund.
In addition to benefiting people with disabilities in Greenbrier County, the organization will recognize one person each year as the gala’s honoree. This year’s honoree is Mary Thompson, who is known throughout the community for helping others manage their finances and create wealth with kindness and professionalism as the financial services manager with First Citizens Bank.
“Mary has been with us since day one and by ‘us’ I mean The Disability Opportunity Fund,” says Genny Freiman. “From the moment that we arrived in White Sulphur Springs, she’s been one of our biggest supporters,” Freiman adds. “For us, choosing her as our honoree for this year’s inaugural event was a no brainer.”
The Schoolhouse Hotel opened its doors in 2022 as the world’s first fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant boutique hotel. What once served as first a high school and then a junior high school for local students is now a full-service hotel complete with 30 guest rooms, The Varsity Club restaurant, a rooftop bar and a ballroom. Every part of the hotel and its grounds are accessible to guests with disabilities, including guest rooms, dining and all amenities. There is even a synthetic grass area for guide animals, making this a truly all-inclusive experience. Visitors and guests will also enjoy a nostalgic look back at some of the former schoolhouse memorabilia found throughout the newly redesigned building. Pieces of the past are everywhere, including the Fitness Center, which houses the scoreboard from the school’s former gymnasium. It’s little touches like this that give the perfect blend of modern meets memorabilia in this thoughtfully designed hotel.
For those attending the gala, a hearty appetite is a must. The hors d’oeuvres are sure to whet your appetite and a choice of braised short ribs or grilled salmon for dinner’s main course promise to be mouth-watering. Following dinner, guests will enjoy a Chocolate Trio cake for dessert. According to Scott Epperson, Director of Food and Beverage at The Schoolhouse Hotel, “This event is all about giving back and helping others who need our help.”
With 150 to 200 guests expected to attend this year’s inaugural gala, the desire to help others is clearly one small-town charm that is alive and well in this picturesque community. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests will enjoy cocktail hour followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. In addition, presentations, auctions and raffles will be held during the evening. Tickets are $150 for individuals, and sponsorships are still available. For more information or to purchase a ticket, please visit theschoolhousehotelwv.com or call 304-536-0999. The Schoolhouse Hotel is located at 125 Schoolhouse Way in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
