Neighbors give special needs boy who was hospitalized a ‘Halloween do-over’

David Dakake wasn’t able to go trick-or-treating Monday because he was hospitalized, but he was still able to partake in the holiday’s festivities. That’s all thanks to dozens of strangers and neighbors who rallied to throw the 12-year-old special needs boy a “Halloween do-over” on Wednesday, after David was discharged, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

David’s mother, Leann Dakake, of Paulding County, Georgia, said her son was heartbroken when she told him he’d have to miss Halloween. The Dakakes adopted David from Latvia in 2007 when he was a toddler. David was born premature, and suffers from deafness and a mild form of cerebral palsy, which affects his movement, the news station reported. These needs sometimes require extra care.

Moved by her son’s reaction, Leann shared news of their predicament on social media and reached out to a neighbor.

Although the Dakakes only moved to their new neighborhood of Seven Hills a few days ago, Leann said the outpouring of support was overwhelming, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Dozens of neighbors agreed to open their doors with candy for David. Next, another person proposed a trunk-or-treat idea, which the community organized Tuesday.

On Wednesday, mere hours after David was discharged from the hospital, the boy got to fill up his bag with Halloween treats just as he wanted. He wore a Batman costume that his mom bought him only Tuesday.

“People will come together when there’s something that touches their heart,” Leann told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.