Chili Dog Fundraiser Benefits Children with Special Needs in Dexter

Some of Dexter's littlest residents are in need of help.

Families with children in the Early Childhood Special Education program at will hold a chili dog fundraiser on Nov. 17 to help pay for a music therapy program for preschool students.

Mike Brownell, a board certified music therapist, said working with students with special needs in Dexter is a vital part of their development process.

"We use music as a tool to build social skills and facilitate learning," Brownell said. "Part of it is teaching the kids songs to engage the problems they may be having. It's entertaining for the kids, but as adults, we see they are doing work in a goal-oriented program."

Brownell said one example is a popular exercise called "The octopus song," in which students imitate Brownell's movements and sounds, which are precursors to spoken language.

"It's amazing to see how far the students progress year after year by the time they graduate to kindergarten," Brownell said.

The program, which has been part of the special needs curriculum for the past nine years, is supported entirely by fundraisers and donations, event chairwoman Sheila Tidwell said.

"My daughter has Down syndrome, and I see the amazing benefits that music therapy does for my daughter," she said. "My daughter has been in this preschool class for almost two years now and has been able to participate since the first week in the classroom."

The chili dog fundraiser will take place from 5-8 p.m. at Cornerstone Elementary and features a silent auction with dozens of items donated by local businesses. Items include a power tool set, a cell phone docking station donated by Dexter Wireless, handmade jewerly, wine baskets, Crayola baskets, free pies for a year donated by Dexter Big Boy and $200 of comics from , among others.

"It's amazing how many local businesses wanted to help us out," Tidwell said. "I'm very touched by the generosity of the community.

"Until you have a child with special needs, you don't know how much care is needed. The music program has a huge impact on our children and people know that. We want our children to succeed and become active members of the community."

Tickets for the chili dog and silent auction are $6 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, e-mail 4tidwells@gmail.com.