The men and women of the Smyrna Police Department pooled their resources to organize a surprise birthday party for a boy with special needs.
The party for Tye Clinner and his mother, Crystal, was held Sept. 15 at the Reed House. Smyrna police Sgt. Louis Defense said the department learned about Tye, 13, through the volunteer work of Lt. Brandy Forman.
Forman uses her spare time to bake for Icing Smiles, a group that creates custom birthday cakes for children who are ill or have special needs. Through Icing Smiles, she heard about Tye, who has cerebral palsy, and the family’s wish to take a trip to Disney World. Tye and his family were awarded a trip to the Orlando tourist destination by the Florida charity Give Kids the World.
The lieutenant approached Smyrna Police Chief David Lee, who said “do whatever it takes to make it happen,” Defense said.
Smyrna police used money from its community relations budget to rent space at the Reed House and get everything they needed for the party. Between 100 and 150 people attended the party throughout the day, Defense said.
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Crystal Clinner, who lives in Smyrna, said the party was nothing like she and her son has experienced before. In the past, she has organized parties for Tye, but no one would show up.
“We’ve had so many disappointments, and to see the turnout for this one really showed how good of a community Smyrna is,” she said.
Clinner said her son, who is confined to a wheelchair and has a limited vocabulary, is intelligent and loves to interact with people.
“I always say he doesn’t let his limitations limit him,” she added.
Defense said it was “heartwarming” to see Tye and his family enjoy the party.
“We were all overwhelmed,” he said. “I guess what’s overwhelming is you’re seeing what good community relations look like between our agency (and the) city.”
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