The prom will be an annual event, always scheduled the third Friday of March, she said.

“We want to continue to expand and grow,” she said. “Get the community involved to a greater degree.”

Area businesses and individuals donated about $5,000 by Friday and more was donated days after the prom, she said.

“We are so encouraged,” Ferrell said.

MORE: This inspiring event will give Butler County special needs students ‘an awesome evening’

She praised the efforts of local special needs educators and para-professionals who serve as student aids.

Ferrell was asked to describe the atmosphere inside the church: “There were smiles everywhere. No intimidation, no comparisons. I didn’t want the night to end if that tells you something.”

Ferrell said the event was successful because of the volunteers, especially Tina Shell from Valley View, who converted the church’s life center into a hair and nail salon; and Madison’s Karen Dawson, who turned the sanctuary into a circus.