Pam Smith, a proud parent of a special-needs son at Washington High School in Washington, North Carolina, experienced a dream come true when the community came together to help send him to the prom. Pam said it was "a blessing and a dream come true." But it wasn't just Pam's son who received donations, it was his entire class.
Donations poured in to help after someone posted a comment about how much more expensive it is to raise a special needs child. Because of that extra burden many special needs kids folks can't afford to send them to the prom. Someone read that and started a go fund me page for the special needs class to be able to go to the prom. They raised enough to pay for all of the kids prom attire, a dinner at the Washington Yacht and Country Club, photos, and a red carpet leading to a stretch limousine.
Special needs teacher Serena Current emphasized the importance of giving the students the same opportunities as their peers, saying, "People don't realize how important things like this are for them because they don’t always get the same opportunity as all their peers." Parent Ebony Sneed echoed this sentiment, saying she wants her child to feel included and as important other children.
The students were excited to hit the dance floor and listen to their favorite songs during the prom night. As they left the Washington Yacht and Country Club in a limousine, community members and loved ones cheered them on with signs and sparklers. Parents report that the students spent the entire night dancing, making for an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.