There are 12 special-needs students at Boynton Elementary who need some help making it to Walt Disney World.

Jeff Ransom, whose son has been diagnosed with autism and is in the fourth grade, is encouraging citizens to help “make dreams come true” for these students.

The trip is planned for the last week in April.

“Disney World is one place where a child with special needs should be able to go while they’re still a child,” Ransom said. “There is so much for them to look at and do, they’re practically forced to become engaged and take it all in.”

Ransom said when his son and other students visited Disney World last year, parents noticed their children acted “more typical” on the trip than anywhere else.

“These kids have a very difficult life,” Ransom said. “They deserve this as a reward for all they do. And unless you have a special-needs child, you may not realize how expensive it is to care for them.”

Annie Hanna, who teaches students with autism at Boynton Elementary, said the trip will cost $675 per child, approximately $12,000 total.

She said the school has raised around $7,000 so far.

Hanna said the trip is a great opportunity for special-needs students to exercise the skills they have been taught while in school.

“We try and pre-teach things like waiting in line,” Hanna said. “You can see how (the students) have matured and grown. It’s also a great way for (the students) to end their time at Boynton.”

Ransom said he understands it is probably difficult for one to imagine how a special-needs child would experi-ence Disney World.

“If people saw the joy on their faces,” Ransom said, “I know they would give what they could.”

Hanna said checks can be made out and mailed to Attention: Ms. Hanna, Boynton Elementary, 3938 Boynton Drive, Ringgold, Ga. 30736.