Helen Keller once stated that “the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” Many of Evergreen’s Nashville clients cannot speak and some of them do not understand the words which are spoken to them but they can sense love and excitement, and these emotions were evident in their eyes and smiles on June 4th as they attended prom. Sixty-five clients, in fancy dresses and suits, gathered at the middle Tennessee day program on this warm summer evening to dance, eat cake and drink punch and enjoy each others’ company.
Many of Evergreen’s female clients wore dresses donated by an organization, Becca’s Closet, which provides formal dresses to girls who need dresses to attend prom or other formal dances. Becca’s Closet was started by high- school student Rebecca Kirtman shortly before her death in a car accident. Rebecca had collected 250 dresses for needy girls in south Florida, and her legacy now continues in nine states with more than two dozen chapters. The chapter which donated dresses to Evergreen’s clients is located in Fairview, Tennessee, and is called “Gowns for Girls.” Evergreen’s gentlemen were not dressed shabbily, either. Thanks to a generous member of the Nashville Ephesian PB Church, ties were donated to accommodate them as well. All prom-goers further adorned their attire with a beautiful corsage specially made by Carol Page, mother to Evergreen client Amanda, and Evergreen day program staff. Ms. Page, also with the help of Evergreen staff, decorated the facility so that attendees
