MUNCIE, Ind. — A local nonprofit, Delaware County Special-Needs Prom, hosted a Hoedown this Saturday to shine a light on the Special Needs community. A lively outdoor venue covered with hay bales, string lights, and colorful banners is just a small amount of how much support this community has for one another. This Hoedown was able to happen with donations from local businesses and the support of volunteers.
The older generations of the special needs community never got a chance to participate in a prom, but this organization made that possible. Co-founder Lynne Hatfield is a mother to a child with disabilities. After learning that her son’s school had to get rid of its Special Needs Prom, she wanted to ensure that her son had one.
“I just love these people, and I feel that they deserve so much more than what is offered,” Hatfield said.
Hatfield organizes an event at her son’s school to give the special needs community a chance to experience a prom. She decided to continue offering this opportunity to others in the school and community. Since 2018, Hatfield and her co-founder, Mindy Kemper, have continued to grow this nonprofit organization into being known county-wide.
“Our Goal is to make sure that the older generations of special-needs get to experience gatherings since they didn’t have programs like this in the past,” Kemper said.
A nonprofit organization is not run for the purpose of gaining profit by its services, so Lynne and her co-founder Mindy Kemper have to rely on donations from the community and volunteers. These two components are crucial in keeping a nonprofit open to give these services to the special needs community.
Kemper and Hatfield said they need about $50,000 annually to throw events every two to three months. These events help unite the community by getting everyone in touch with their friends and peers. Their goal in these gatherings is to get not only the younger generations of special needs but also older generations.
They want to give the older generations a chance to experience making more friends and be a part of a community. For more information about Delaware County Special-Needs Events and Prom, visit their Facebook or contact Lynne Hartfield.
Contact: Lynne Hartfield, lynneharthat77@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delcospecialneedsprom
Contact Ava Lens with comments at ava.lens@bsu.edu.
