It all started almost 15 years ago with a phone call. A friend asked if I would like to volunteer to help at a Special Needs student prom. Being free that night I said yes. After seeing the pure joy on the kids faces as they partied the night away I was hooked on helping. I have been involved ever since with this wonderful organization who sponsored that evening. My wife Etta and I have been very blessed in raising three extraordinary young men, and I wanted to give back to those less fortunate. After a lengthy career in real estate in the South Bay I am newly retired, and now have even more time to help the students. With my sales background, I found that my most valuable donation to the group is in helping them with the fundraising. Over the years I have helped put on many exciting and successful benefit evenings that support our group, and am looking forward to many more.

Bio to come soon.

In 2022 I heard there was a prom for kids and adults with disabilities and that they were looking for volunteers, so I signed up to volunteer, and was blown away. It was such an impressive event, and all in attendance radiated pure joy. I couldn’t wait to come back. In 2023 I volunteered for the prom again, and realized this was not something I wanted to do only once year. I am so grateful to have found the EKO and am honored to serve as the board’s secretary. Thank you for this opportunity!

In 2005, I met a young man who had a suite of issues, with four distinct diagnoses. Over time, this young man taught me through his behavior of the pure goodness within him – no agendas, just what you saw. Several years later, I attended an EKO dance. I couldn’t stop smiling. It was the most joy in one room I had ever seen: all the kids there seemed to be the same, with every one of them full of joy and totally accepting of every other person around them. Obviously, many knew each other and had developed close bonds. I have had many proud moments in my life, but when these young people, or their parents, come up to me and thank me for what we do, its surreal to realize what we can accomplish. I am fully dedicated to this organization and its growth and outreach.

I attended my first EKO dance in 2003 when my special needs son was a freshman in high school. I loved watching my son and seeing the joy that he and the other attendees displayed as they enjoyed their friends, the music, dancing, laughing and simply doing what all teens and young adults want to do, hang out with their peers. By the next dance I was hooked I asked if I could help out and before I knew it, I was on the Board. Through the years I’ve watch our kids grow into young adults, I’ve developed life long friendships with parents and caregivers and welcomed new kids and their families into our group. 

What bonds me to the EKO is the love and joy I feel from the dancers, their parents, the volunteers and the dedication and hard work of the EKO Board. I am proud and honored to be affiliated with the EKO and hope to be working with this group for many more years to come.

I am a retired special education teacher.  I worked with the special needs population in the South Bay for over 13 years.  Over that time I heard a lot about the dances and prom from other educators as well as parents.  I was intrigued and after attending a dance I became a believer.  Seeing my students so happy and enjoying themselves just hanging out with their friends like every other person their age was very special.  A few years later I joined the board to help support the work they were doing. Since retiring the dances have given me the opportunity to stay in contact with many of the families I worked with over the years.

I witnessed, through the growth of a friend’s son, the powerful effect that EKO can have enhancing the joy and social development of individuals with special needs. Contributing, even a little, is truly a worthwhile endeavor.

My participation with EKO started as a teenager when I accompanied my brother to the monthly EKO dances. Over my decade involvement with EKO, I have found the organization to be an inspiration for serving families with special needs members. For many of the special needs population, the EKO’s social activities are their only social outlets. I am honored to be a Board Member to help with fundraising and planning events for this very deserving group.

Sandi is a third generation California native and grew up in the Playa del Rey area. She earned her BA and MA degrees from USC and taught for 38 years in Westchester. She was also a teacher and coordinator for special education in LAUSD. Sandi has two grown children and attends Journey of Faith Church in Manhattan Beach. Her main hobbies are sports, playing cards and socializing. Sandi is an energetic fundraiser and has been volunteering for the EKO for three years.

Betty has an adult son with autism. Her experience started by volunteering at his elementary school. She later began a parent program for fundraising at Lawndale High School where parents of special needs students assisted in fundraising so the students could attend functions outside of high school, including sleep overs at the Science Center and the Aquarium of Long Beach. While her son was still in high school, she enrolled him at El Camino college where he completed college math courses at the junior college level.

For over 15 years, I have gone to EKO activities like the monthly dances, proms, family fun days, and talent shows. I have many friends, and we all like EKO activities. For people with disabilities like me, it is hard to find things to do. EKO is EXCEPTIONAL. The EKO Board wants to help people with special needs. So, when I was asked to be the first Community Representative, I was very excited. The EKO Board wants to hear my creative ideas. I love being a Community Representative so that I can help the EKO Board plan activities for me and my friends.

Adam has been attending EKO dances and activities since the very beginning. Adam loves dancing and music and spending time with friends. He has served as Prom King. Adam also enjoys equestrian therapy.

Rey began attending the Exceptional Kids Organization dances when they first started. He began participating in the activities as part of his positive behavioral plan when he was in middle school. He enjoys volunteering at the dances by helping with security, cleaning up and winning the dance contest. He was Prom King in 2013. He has been able to meet many new friends through the dances. He is always willing to share all the information about EKO with any new person he meets. Rey is a loyal promoter and supporter of EKO. His family is very proud of Rey.

Matthew began attending EKO dances when he was 14 years old. Since that time he has been an enthusiastic participant and volunteer at most EKO activities. He has also helped with presentations to groups such as Kiwanis to spread awareness of the EKO throughout the community.