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The George Evans Special Needs Fun Day will be held at the Selma reception hall bearing his namesake on Thursday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This will be the second time the event has been held without its founder, the late Selma Mayor George Evans who passed away May 15, 2023. He served as mayor from 2008 to 2016.

His widow, Jeannie Evans, is carrying on the tradition this year, and she and volunteers are rolling out the red carpet for the special needs children in elementary and high schools in Selma City Schools and Dallas County Schools. The theme is Red Carpet Sneaker Ball.

“We are going to have a red carpet for the students to walk down,” Jeannie said. “We are encouraging the students to dress up in a fancy outfit with their sneakers and come down the red carpet to our big party.”

Cheerleaders and other organizations from various schools will be attending the event to help make sure the students have a good time. They will have facepainting, games and other activities during the fun day.

Evans founded the event in 2011 to benefit children at Cahaba Mental Health, Selma City Schools and Dallas County Schools. They hold a golf tournament fundraiser at Valley Grande Country Club each year, and the proceeds from that tournament pay for the fun day along with making donations to all three organizations to help support the special needs students in Dallas County.

“This year, we were able to give Selma City Schools, Dallas County Schools and Cahaba Mental Health $5,000 each,” Jeannie said. “This is due to the generosity of everyone who donated, sent teams to the tournament and supported us each and every year. We are grateful for your support in allowing us to continue George’s vision.”

For more information or those who would like to donate to the organization, contact Jeannie Evans at 334-327-0326 or evansjeannie1@yahoo.com.