Special Needs Ball volunteer exceeds goal

In early January, The Bee published a story about Justine Wood, a 10-year-old volunteer for the Society for Handicapped Children and Adults. Justine was collecting dresses for the organization's Special Needs Ball, a prom put on for young people who might not make it to a traditional prom.

At the time I wrote about her, Justine had brought in 45 dresses and had just started a drive to raise money to help cover the $4,000 hard costs of the event — much of which is put on with volunteer labor and supplies.

Ten days from the event, it's safe to say Justine — who turns 11 next week — has done pretty well. She brought in $5,014 in cash and has collected 161 dresses for loan to the ball guests.

"She has also brought in 10 loads of donations to our Endless Possibilities Thrift Store and completed a six-week Beginning Sign Language course with us," society director of development Michelle Gill said in an email. "We are thrilled with her accomplishments, inspired and impressed at the amazing things this young leader has done for our organization."

Three hundred young people are set to attend the party March 23 at Del Rio Country Club. The event is at capacity for the third year in a row, Gill said. Justine, of course, will be on hand to help.