Scituate Public Schools’ bus driver Kevin McKenna says he loves his job because he can connect with students and sees many of them as an “extension” of his family. A retired police officer and a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, McKenna is making a difference as an empowering South Shore community volunteer.
McKenna organizes several blood drives yearly to thank Boston Children’s Hospital for saving his two children’s lives. McKenna explained that one donation can help four children dealing with life-threatening illnesses. He donates directly to this hospital, as he “chooses to help the children first.”
One of McKenna’s most notable volunteer projects is a special spring prom event, which he has organized for the past 17 years. The story behind how and why this prom was created is very personal for him.
When McKenna’s daughter Tori was young, he took her to a “daddy-daughter” dance. Now 28 years old, Tori is autistic, and unfortunately, a woman who attended the dance made inappropriate and hurtful comments to McKenna after Tori asked her daughter to dance. Compelled by this upsetting experience, McKenna wanted to create an event fostering unity and kindness for students with special needs.
McKenna met with several friends from the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Rockland-Hanson Rotary Club to discuss how they could organize a dance for the special needs community. When Anthony Valletta, who was a managing partner of Longhorn Steakhouse, overheard the group making plans during a lunch meeting, he offered to help. Valletta’s mother was a special needs teacher in Marshfield, so the dance had a personal connection for him as well.
Noting it is a “beautiful thing to do for people,” McKenna explained that Longhorn Steakhouse in Pembroke has provided food and services for approximately 200 people and 75 volunteers during the prom each year.
High schoolers attending the event can wear prom dresses or suits–there isn’t a specific dress code, and students are encouraged to wear anything they feel comfortable in. JC Fast Tailors & Dry Cleaners, located in Hanson, helps sponsor the event and assists students who need dresses or suits. Two Pembroke hair salons and one Hanover hair salon also participate. Broadway Barber Lounge, a barber shop in Hanover, has also pitched in over the years.
The prom starts at 4:00 PM and ends at 7:30 PM. About 100 hot rod cars provided by local car enthusiasts Spindles Auto Club and Lug Nuts Car Club pick up the students at a designated location and drive them to the event. Escorted by Pembroke, Hanover, and Hanson police, the prom parade is led by a red and white 1957 Chevy driven by Scituate resident Jim Lonborg, a former pitcher for the Red Sox who also won the Cy Young Award in 1967.
Once everyone arrives, volunteers and photographers treat students to a “red carpet” greeting. Inside, they have their formal photos taken before sitting down to dinner with a DJ and band music. Parents and caregivers must be present throughout the evening; however, there is a separate function room where they can watch a comedy show and participate in a raffle while their students enjoy the prom.
McKenna’s top priorities include safety and ensuring everyone has a good time, noting he verifies all volunteers and parent chaperones are CORI and SORI checked.
Commenting that he is proud of how many lives have been changed by this annual prom event, McKenna strongly believes in “improving the quality of life for loved ones,” stating, “Giving back is a powerful thing to do.”
This year, the prom is scheduled for Saturday, June 1st, at the Pembroke Knights of Columbus. McKenna welcomes new volunteers or raffle donations, saying the event positively impacts everyone who gets involved. SHS students who are interested in volunteering should speak with Mrs. Hall in room 246 to learn more or check out Kevin McKenna’s prom website: promangels.org.