Car show is mom's graduation gift for Des Moines teen with special needs

Chris Higgins, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

A Des Moines teen is about to get a graduation gift that's one of a kind.

Katesha Butler is organizing a special car show Sunday for her son Jonathan, 18, who has special needs and recently graduated from Ruby Van Meter School. Butler isn't sure where he picked up his deep love of cars, but he's able to name practically all of them, even the fancy ones, she said. He's also gotten into remote-control cars.

His love of cars persists even though he has been diagnosed with a rare chromosomal duplication and will never be able to drive. His mother said she came up with the idea for the car show and posted about it on social media, and the plan spread rapidly.

Katesha Butler is organizing a car show for her son Jonathan, 18, who just graduated from Ruby Van Meter School in Des Moines.
Katesha Butler is organizing a car show for her son Jonathan, 18, who just graduated from Ruby Van Meter School in Des Moines.

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At least 70 cars are expected to be on hand for the show, and more are welcome. Butler said she's been humbled by the reaction so far.

"He really needs this," she said, adding that it will be important for her son to be a part of something where he's not the odd one out. Butler has connected with other families with children who have special needs to make them a part of the event as well.

At the show, her son will choose the first-, second- and third-place cars. The Stickyfingers food truck, his favorite, will be on site.

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Any money raised will go to the local STRIVE program. The nonprofit teaches students ages 18-21 life and vocational skills. More information about the car show is available on Facebook.

The show will be at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 314 E. Army Post Road, on the south side of Des Moines.

Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Entries welcome at Des Moines car show for teen with special needs