InPro Ceramics & Garden Sale a Big Success

Special Tree's NeuroCare Campus was delighted to host clients from InPro vocational services who put on a fantastic ceramics and garden sale on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the North building.  The timing of the sale gave everyone an opportunity to select some very thoughtful gifts for family and friends for Mother's Day.

The InPro crew manned the sale, which showcased items made by clients participating in the Greenhouse, Ceramics and other Day Treatment and Vocational programs. Thanks to the team effort, the InPro Mother’s Day sale was a huge hit. Offerings included plants and flowers planted in colorful ceramic pots, “seed bombs” which when planted spring into wild flowers, and dried herbs.

 “It’s been pretty busy and a lot of staff came by on their lunch,” said Greenhouse Coordinator Linda Davis. “Everything here was done by the clients. The pots came from the ceramics department, they helped transplant the flowers into the pots, the dried herbs were fully client cut and processed, and the seed bombs were just an activity. It’s nice to support their work this way.”

Staff members are sure to have some happy mothers this May.

Spring Fling Prom 2014! Truly "A Night to Remember"

More than 125 clients came together on Friday, May 2, 2014 for Special Tree's Spring Fling dinner dance at Roma's of Garden City. Now in it's 14th year, the annual event draws Special Tree clients, staff, friends and alumni from all over Southeast and Mid-Michigan for a festive night filled with food, music, dancing, socializing and more. The many hours of planning and coordination by staff paid off once again with a fantastic event that seems to top itself year after year. 

This spring's theme Prom: A Night to Remember, inspired by a residential client who had missed her own high school prom, added a fun new twist to the evening. When staff heard about Marlene G.'s desire to attend prom, having missed hers after experiencing a traumatic brain injury several years ago at sixteen, they began brainstorming ways they could give her a second chance at the quintessential teen rite of passage. They presented the idea to the Spring Fling committee, and the "Prom 2014" theme was born. 

In addition to the usual banquet dinner, live band, and fabulous dance party, clients decked out in tuxes, ball gowns, top hats, and other finery. When Marlene was crowned Special Tree Prom Queen, there was no bigger smile in the room than hers.

“Everyone said it was the best Spring Fling we’ve ever had,” reflected RiverView Program Manager and Spring Fling Chair Debbie Justice. “We’ve done some wonderful themes in the past, but nothing nearly as big as this. The whole prom thing got everyone geeked. I was really happy with how it turned out.” Even the party preparations took on a new life, with most of the clothing and jewelry collected through a series of donations, and clients meeting up for 'Diva Night' and tuxedo shop outings to get ready.

Clients arrived at Roma's in cars, vans and even a wheelchair accessible limousine. Looking their sharpest in suits, dresses, gowns and tuxedos, they entered the hall to find a flurry of decorations, and a corsage or boutineer for every attendee—made by clients in the InPro vocational program. 

There were even party favors, and a sparkly balloon backdrop to pose for the traditional Prom Photo. After a delicious sit down dinner, live band Remedy took off with popular covers and clients flocked to the dance floor. Later in the evening, a conga line formed to the tune “Soul Train.”

“That [conga line] will be done at every event now. I really think that’s going to be a new tradition with how much the clients took to it,” said Justice. “It’s funny, but we have this new staffer who at some point in the night ran up to me and gave me this huge hug. She said ‘I can’t believe I get paid to do this!’ It was just such a great night. It turned out really great.”

Pulling off an event of this magnitude requires tremendous coordination by many people, organizing everything from transportation, scheduling, dietary needs, client supports, decorations, and more. But the effort is so worthwhile. Infusing the recovery process every so often with events like Spring Fling provide an important break from the rehabilitation routine, and greatly enhance clients' quality of life.


"It's one of my favorite events all year," shared CEO Joe Richert. "Seeing everyone coming together and enjoying themselves, you really see the value in doing something like this. Until you've witnessed what happens on that dance floor, you just can't imagine what a tremendous morale boost this is—for clients and staff alike."

Justice specifically acknowledged the incredible work of the Spring Fling committee, many of whom were new to the team this year. “It takes a lot of people to put the Spring Fling together," she said. "But it was so fun and totally worth it.”

Dressing sharp for Spring Fling

The Prom Spring Fling is upon us and the clients of Special Tree will be dressed to the nines tonight!

The preparations began with the Diva Night in early April. Through a series of donations Special Tree organized a "shopping night" where the ladies gathered to pick out dresses, accessories and shoes for the prom. The air was filled with excitement as they made their selections, tried on dresses, and talked about the upcoming party. And no matter what their selection, the one thing every woman wore leaving was a smile.

And this week, the guys got their own special day. Fitted for tuxedos with their requested color schemes, the men are sure to look their sharpest when they take to the dance floor.


Tradition is that you look your absolute best for a formal dance, and some of the clients attending have never had the opportunity to go to Prom. It's never too late to accomplish a life goal. Tonight will surely be a "Night to Remember" (this year's prom theme!)