On Saturday, truckers, friends, and family honored a member of our community named Davey with a day-long celebration.
Davey, 25, has down syndrome, so the Walmart Heart program wanted to make him feel a little special by giving him a $500 shopping spree and making him an honorary truck driver for the day. Davey got an Xbox, some games, and a gift for his niece.
James Damarco is a part of a new nonprofit called 18 Wheelers 4 Special Needs, which works closely with Walmart Heart. He said its goal is to hold special days for folks like Davey.
"I think this impacts his life in a way where he knows that people do care, that we do recognize what we do understand what an individual like him might have to go through," Damarco said.
Damarco said Davey's Day got started thanks to a chance encounter with the director of 18 Wheelers.
"Kevin crossed paths with [Davey] and they got to talking, and Davey mentioned that he loves the Marvel comics and everything like that," Damarco said. "So Kevin thought, 'wow, what a great idea, right?'"
Davey's love for Marvel led to a great surprise. Once the convoy rolled in to the national bowling stadium, Davey and a few dozen friends and family made their way to the theater upstairs.
When asked what movie he'd like to see, Davey replied, "I don't know."
Thankfully, the group already picked out a movie to watch: "Captain America: Civil War."
But before the movie started, the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" for Davey and his twin brother since they turn 26 next month.
Davey's sister Amy Artman said he won't forget this anytime soon, and neither will his family.
"Davey's been through a lot," she said. "For him to be celebrated and all of his friends and all of our family to come, and all the people that he's met in the community, it's just really amazing."
As for the man himself, Davey says he's happy for the celebration and a new experience.
"It's my first time here with semi-trucks, with Kevin, my friends, and family," he said.
Click here to learn more about 18 Wheelers 4 Special Needs and how you can show your support.
