The Angels in Need “Buddy Club” and Davidson College will be making beautiful music together at the third annual “Buddy Benefit” on Feb. 12.
Students in Billy Power’s “The Buddy System” at Davidson College teamed up in 2009 with Angels in Need, a non-profit aimed at helping exceptional children in Mooresville and the Lake Norman area with special needs.
“During the school year, the children meet with their student ‘buddy’ at Davidson College Presbyterian Church for an hour and 15 minutes of play time,” said Angels in Need Director Jeni Cooper.
“It gives them a place that they are welcomed for who they are and a safe place to build relationships. Real friendships develop between the kids and their ‘buddy,’ and they text, talk on the phone and meet outside of the club.”
Buddies participate in activities like coloring, puzzles, reading, singing, sand play and playing ball, or simply chat with their “buddy.”
Fifteen “exceptional” children from throughout the Lake Norman area, including Mooresville, participate in the “Buddy Club.” The children have disabilities or conditions that hinder their learning or development.
For the past three years, the “Buddy Club” has offered a fundraiser to help the children experience camps and therapies that might be outside their family’s financial reach.
“The Buddy Benefit raises money so that we can provide scholarships for special programs in the area,” explained Cooper. “The Cornelius and Huntersville Parks and Recreation Departments offer special needs programs for children, and there is a camp offered at the Metrolina Fairgrounds that teach special needs children how to ride a bike.
“We’re always looking for new programs for the children and are hoping to branch out this year. I’d like to find a horseback riding class for the kids; there used to be a place we could go, but it closed down.”
Cooper also said the scholarships could go to group therapy for socializing, because therapists are often expensive for families who are caring for a child with special needs.
From 4-5 on Feb. 12 at Davidson College’s Duke Family Performance Hall, a free a cappella concert sponsored by the Buddy System and Kappa Sigma fraternity will be held with donations accepted at the door for the “Buddy Club” scholarships.
“We raised $2,000 the first year and $4,000 last year,” said Cooper. “This year, they’re aiming for $10,000. It’s an uplifting and inspiring celebration and it really helps people understand what families with special needs go through on a daily basis while still having fun.”
She added that it was a great opportunity for families to have a good time with their special needs child without worrying or feeling uncomfortable.
“There are so many places that these families feel like they can’t take their kids because they’ll make noise or not act like the typical child,” Cooper said. “At this event, it doesn’t matter, because everyone is welcome. It’s also a great opportunity for the community to come out and support the families while listening to a wonderful concert. The a cappella groups are phenomenal and so talented.”
Reservations for the event can be made at www.angelsinneed.org or by emailing davidson.buddy.system@gmail.com. Tickets will also be available at the door.
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