People First has helped to enrich the lives of over one-hundred special needs children and adults by offering free social activities year round for those in our community. The Mr. and Miss Special Henry County Pageant is our largest fundraising event of the year. The pageant consists of both a teen and adult division for males and females. This allows four winners – one from each division – to be selected as representatives of Henry County. Profits earned from the pageant are used to provide our kings and queens with the financial ability to participate in over thirty appearances. Some of the yearly traditions include: riding in local holiday parades, attending festivals, attending festivals, Atlanta Moto Speedway pre-race parade twice per year, and leading the Parade of Athletes at Special Olympics Georgia Games three times per year.
People First provides the necessary support and encouragement for our representatives as they travel the state of Georgia, raising awareness about disabilities. This exposure has helped many of our participants grow in surprising ways. Their self-esteem, socializing skills, and public speaking abilities have reached levels beyond what their parents and teachers could even dream. Personalities become clear: then funny and quirky, the loving and thoughtful. It is of no wonder then, how our message is being so easily spread. It is not their disabilities, but their abilities that make each person so unique.
