Paris in Pike is this Friday

The fourth annual Paris in Pike Fashion Show will present a night of fashion and fun featuring 34 special needs students Friday, Feb. 27, at Christ Chapel Community Church. Paris in Pike will begin at 7 p.m. and is a fundraiser for the Pike County Navigator Team which is a parent-led volunteer group that supports families of special needs children.’Participants have been shopping and are excited about what they’ll be wearing. They love dressing up, having their moment in the spotlight and hearing the crowd cheer for them. Most bring their own fan club,’ said Paris in Pike organizer April Cobb. ‘This moment is just as special to the parents as it is to the students. Parents are so proud to have the opportunity to see their child on stage with a huge smile on their face and to see our community show such love and support for them.’The Pike County Navigator Team recently helped some Pike students receive personal laptops that could support the software to meet their needs. The group also provided a classroom with a much needed iPad and are looking into equipping a few classrooms with smart boards.’There is no charge for admission to the fashion show. We’ll be accepting donations. They’re tax-deductible and 100% of money raised stays in Pike County and directly helps our special needs students and their families,’ said Cobb. ‘All Navigator Team members are volunteers. I’d like to say thank you to our wonderful community for their continued support of these awesome kids. It’s through the generosity of our local sponsors and volunteers that we’re able to bring you Paris in Pike. We hope to make it bigger and better every year for many years to come.’The idea for the first Paris in Pike was envisioned by three local girls, Scarlett Mullis, Abbi Hood and Ashleighanna Johnson when they were in fifth grade. The girls work hard each year to make the event a success. The girls were inspired by a young girl with special needs at their church and wanted her to have the opportunity to be in a fashion show just for her.