A special birthday party was held Saturday at the Moorhead Library to celebrate the 16th birthday of Shedrick Epson.
Epson is a special needs student attending Gentry High School and his mother, Maritha Freeman, decided that the best way to celebrate was to honor him and other special needs children in an elaborate reception.
She and her husband, Eric Freeman, invited 10 other special needs children and their families to join them for the festivities, and the catered event was standing room only.
Honorees who were able got a chance to ride in a chauffeured limousine. To make the day even more special, local organizations were contacted and asked to sponsor gifts. Moorhead Mayor George Holland delivered the keynote address and remarked how honored he was that Freeman asked him to be there so he could “see the love being poured out for these children.”
He incorporated Freeman’s chosen theme, “We’ve come this far by faith,” into his speech and added that he, too, wanted to celebrate those young men and women who have had to face challenges all of their lives.
He encouraged the parents to trust in God and assured them that their work wasn’t in vain and concluded his time at the podium by presenting all of the honored guests with Moorhead T-shirts emblazoned with the Yellow Dog logo.
The program also included a poem, a dramatization by Quatika Cross and solos by Essence Baggett and Wilbert Robinson. Indianola Mayor Steve Rosenthal gave the closing remarks and words of encouragement.
The Freemans thanked those motorcycle clubs and other individuals who provided money and gifts to the children including No Limit, Club Sub, Schlater Riders and Gangster City Riders, along with, C.H.A.O.S. Organization, Founder, Johnnie Williams Sr., Jeanette Alexander and Southern Grillers.
