The Special Ones Network celebrated the holiday season with a Christmas party Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Hella Temple Shrine. This is the eighth year that Kristal and Dean Davis have organized and hosted a Christmas celebration for special needs individuals.
Numerous special needs men, women and children, along with their families, had a great time at the party because of the help of Frito-Lay, who donated more than 600 snacks for the attendees. Friends from Orchard Hills Baptist Church also helped with the event and friends from Connection Community Church donated money and food and gave numerous volunteer hours. AVID students from South Garland High School also gave time to the cause.
In addition to visiting with and getting photos with Santa, participants received gifts, enjoyed lunch, played games and won prizes, and visited with police officers and firefighters. The Rumble Against Cancer group was there and the kids got to have their pictures taken on the motorcycles and they also got photos with a “Ghostbusters” vehicle and “Jurassic Park” jeep.
Kristal and Dean, along with their entire family, remain dedicated to the mission of providing events, including the Christmas party, an Easter egg hunt, a swim party and more throughout the year. They understand the need because of their special needs son, Evan.
They continue to be motivated to continue these events because they know that it is what God wants them to do.
Kristal said that there are people who have been coming to the Christmas party since the first year and they look forward to it. Volunteers look forward to the opportunity as well.
“Being able to give special needs individuals and their families an afternoon to look forward to, a time just to have fun and not worry about money or doctor’s appointments or anything else for a while is a blessing,” she said. “When you give and you’re trying to do what God wants, you get the biggest blessing of all.”
About Special Ones Network: The goal of Special Ones Network is to host events for all types of special needs individuals and their families. Living with an autistic child ourselves, we know activities are practically non-existent for these special ones. Our desire is to change this, one event at a time!