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Pictured from left to
right: Robert Heck, Melissa Nick,
Linda Woodard, Cathy Westbrook and Oliver Faulk. |
Clay Aiken-Turning No One Away:
[From RHA Faces - Volume 2]
As a former staff member at the YMCA, Clay Aiken once
stated that he had seen too many special needs people
turned away from programs due to either lack of trained
staff or inadequate staff-to-service-user ratio to provide
the needed supports. Clay’s first scheduled NC State
Fair show sold out in 9 minutes. He agreed to do a second
show, which sold out in 14 minutes. Sold out or not, he
didn’t turn those with special needs away. He donated
free tickets. Between the 3:00 p.m. show and the 7:30 p.m.
show, the Dorton Arena seated over 12,000 people. Many
fans were those with special needs. Thanks to Clay Aiken
and clinical staff from RHA/Benson, four of our service
users had the time of their lives. October 18,2004 is a
day they will remember.
To help Clay or learn more about his foundation log on
to: thebubelaikenfoundation.org, call (224) 430-0950, or
write Bubel/Aiken Foundation Special Needs Children, P. O.
Box 90307, Raleigh, NC 27675 |
