Kristal and Dean Davis, founders of the Special Ones Network, recently hosted their annual Easter egg hunt for special needs individuals and their families at Garland’s Carter Softball Complex. As always, there was an abundance of hugs and fun – and Easter eggs for the hunt.
The Easter bunny was led in by a motorcycle group called Rumble Against Cancer with lots of special ones waiting for an opportunity to hug him and get a photo with him.
The Rumble Against Cancer motorcyclists stayed for the event so that the kids could have their photos taken on the bikes. Additionally, several owners brought their Heart of Texas therapy dogs to interact with the children and the Garland Fire Department was there with an eng
ine to be explored. The Garland Police Department also let the children explore the inside of a police car, SUV and the SWAT vehicle. The kids could also get bunny noses and balloon animals being made on the spot.
In addition to all this fun, the special needs individuals and their families enjoyed free hot dog lunches and a variety of treats and baked goods.
It’s a great day for the kids when all they think about is having fun and that’s the organizers’ goal. Kristal and Dean consider being able to host this event a gift from God. They have a son with autism and long ago noticed that there were not many events in which he could participate. So, they decided to change that, “one event at a time” as they say.
In addition to the egg hunt, the couple hosts an annual Christmas party and swim party at Surf & Swim. People of all ages are invited to participate in the events, no matter what their specific disability is.
They refuse to take credit for the event as they explained that there are many friends, groups, church friends, businesses and family members who work hard to make the egg hunt possible.
The event was special for Garland police officer Kevin Mock. In addition to attending with other police department representatives, he, along with his children, spent time helping to stuff the plastic eggs before the hunt. Mock said that his late sister had special needs and that it meant a lot to him to be able to help with the event. He described it as an opportunity for him and his children to honor his sister.