Corporal Nick Harvey Makes 8-year-old Avey Cox’s Wish Come True -

This week’s “Thankful Thursday” would like to commend Van Buren, Arkansas School Resource Officer Corporal Nick Harvey for making second grader Avey Cox’s dream come true by escorting her to Central Elementary School’s daddy-daughter dance. Avey always dreamed of going to the daddy-daughter dance, but after her dad passed away during the holidays, she didn’t think she would be able to attend.

When Corporal Harvey’s chief reached out to his officers, suggesting they volunteer to escort students without dads, that’s when Corporal Harvey decided to step in for his little friend, Avey.

“I reached out to the mother. The mother came and said it was okay because the last thing I wanted to do was to get rejected by a second grader. So her mom talked to her about it, and the next day I formally asked if she’d be my date to the daddy-daughter dance,” said Corporal Harvey.

“I was excited because I never ever went and it would be my first time, and I actually been wanting to go,” said Avey. The answer was yes to Corporal Harvey and the pair made sure to coordinate their outfits, take lots of pictures and even rode in a limousine to get pizza before the dance. “It meant a lot because I actually got to go and see all my friends there and then I got to go with him and have a lot of fun,” said Avey.

Corporal Harvey says it’s a night he will never forget because they made a lot of memories on and off the dance floor. “I embarrassed myself a little bit – I can’t dance at all,” he said. For Avey, the pictures and the dance moves were her favorite parts with Corporal Harvey.

Corporal Harvey has three daughters, but they’ve all aged out of the daddy-daughter dance. He looks forward to going to these dances again now with his new friend, Avey.