MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Sandy Perez and his son Lucas were at the Step by Step celebration on Tuesday in Miami-Dade County’s Palm Springs North neighborhood.

Step by Step, an academy that serves students with special needs at 7750 NW 178 St., near Miami Lakes, started celebrating Thanksgiving early.

“They basically help him with everything, every day in his life,” Perez said. “Now, he’s walking, he knows what to do, what not to do.”

Lisely Jimenez, the academy’s principal, hosted a community day that included building baskets full of food for donations, working on arts and crafts, dancing, and even a fun bounce house.

“I have one family that traveled from another country and the child has a brain tumor in the brain stem -- inoperable tumor,” Jimenez said about one of her students.

Edra Fernandez, whose daughter is a student at the academy, said she is really grateful for everything her daughter has learned as a student there.

“Before if she wanted something, she might point at it or she might throw herself on the floor,” Fernandez said. “Now, she talks.”

The Fernandez and other families also enjoyed face painting, dancing, and guided play. They also benefited from donations from local benefactors.

“We have a really close-knit community,” said Julian Arana, the owner of B-Fit, who helped to collect donations for the event.

For more information about the academy, visit this page.

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