Thursday was a special day for three area special-needs children.
Wal-Mart truck drivers from around the Southeast gathered at Dothan’s southside Wal-Mart to give Thomas Miller, Cooper Keasler and Grace Owens a chance to be honorary truck drivers for the day.
Through the Wal-Mart Heart program, the drivers, along with store employees, volunteered their time to throw a party for the kids and give them a ride around the parking lot in their big rigs.
“Our job today is to have fun and make these kids feel special, because it's their day, not our day,” said James Blackstone, a driver for Wal-Mart Transportation in Douglas, Ga., who lives in Webb. “They’re honorary truck drivers for day. We give them certificates, and that's the fun of it, that it makes them look like a truck driver and makes them feel connected to us, and we hope they take this home and they remember it forever.”
The children were presented with gifts bought by the store’s employees, numerous gifts from the drivers, and even an honorary police badge from Dothan Police Chief Greg Benton.
They also got to take a ride in a fire truck.
For the children and their parents, the day was the definition of happiness.
“I’m overwhelmed,” said Danette Miller, Thomas’ mother. “It was really, really special and touching. It was hard not to cry a lot. We're very blessed to be part of such a loving, giving community that makes us feel like part of their family. We love it here.”
The program, which is entirely volunteer-driven, throws an average of two parties per quarter, and Blackstone said it’s made as big a difference in his life as it has in the children’s.
“Everybody knows somebody or is connected to a special-needs child or adult, and this gives me opportunity to give back to the community,” he said. “We don't just forget about them after the party, either. We stay I touch with them and invite them back to other parties. I want the kids to be happy. I want them not to worry about being sick, not to have a worry in the world. You can give these kids money, but it will scatter. Nobody can take away something you give to the heart.”
Danette said it was an experience Thomas will relish for quite some time.
“He has fun in a lot of different places, like school and the different therapy places he goes to in town, but I haven't seen him this excited since my niece's Christmas pageant last year,” she said.
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