"When

I was growing up around here, we had two kinds of dancing: tap and toe.

But I never thought I'd see toe dancing [ballet] where we used to grow

cotton," said Sams. "And with a Fayette-based ballet company

at that!" he added.

Commenting

on the professionalism of the GYB's dancers, Sams added, "Everyone

from my generation should come and see these young men and women perform.

These are exceptional young people who are all in great physical condition.

They put on quite a show."

Proceeds from

the Dec. 9 evening performance will benefit The Joseph Sams School in

Fayetteville, which is named after Sams' late grandson. The school provides

education for children with physical and developmental disabilities preschool

age though 14.

"Joe had

Downs Syndrome and he was one of the original students when the school

was first started. Then it was called the Early Years and it helped children

up to age 7," Sams said. "It was amazing what they taught Joe

to do, and they never had to raise their voices. He was able to be mainstreamed

into public schools.

"Joe was

diagnosed with leukemia at age 14 and died four years ago," he added.

"He was the first alumnus of the school to die, and I and my family

were all very moved when the board decided to rename the school for him."

Sams said the

Georgia Youth Ballet benefit is one of many community events that have

made a difference in the financial support of the school. "When they

built the current building, folks in the community called it an old fashioned

barn raising and they framed the whole thing in just a day," he said.

"I'm grateful that folks keep remembering the school, and everyone

there is hoping this ballet performance is a sellout."

The benefit

performance will be Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Sams Auditorium at the LaFayette

Educational Center. Additional performances are Dec. 2 and 3 at Our Lady

of Mercy High School and Dec. 8 at Sams. For information, phone 770-716-9858.

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