Snow day surprise for special needs students

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Friday was the last day for school for most students before holiday break, and to celebrate, the Be an Angel Foundation threw a winter-themed party and let it snow for children with multiple disabilities at T.H. Rogers School.

"I'm telling you, this is the rainiest year we've ever had," said Marti Boone, the Executive Director of Be an Angel. With news of the increment weather rolling in, Boone and her team fully prepared by adding a tent to the T.H. Rogers parking lot, and there, they added 32 tons of snow.

For 28 years, Be an Angel has let it snow at T.H. Rogers School.

"We serve these children with special needs with anything they need -- wheelchairs, hearing aids, anything that enhances their lives and makes it more productive," explains Boone.

"Our students range from three to 22 yearsold. They're in our multiply impaired program, our deaf program, or our Vanguard program," says Dave Muzyka, Principal of T.H. Rogers.

Over the past week, students learned about snow, and Friday morning, they got to use their science and sensory skills to enjoy it.

"For them to come and touch and feel that it's cold and you can put it together and throw it, etc, they have a lot of fun with it," adds Muzyka.

The event included face-painting, sweet treats, animals galore, and a very special signing Santa Claus. This Santa has been stationed at T.H. Rogers for the past 13 years, and he wouldn't miss it.

"It's good that we can communicate with them because that's the core of Christmas -- communicating the spirit of happiness and joy," says Santa.