RALEIGH, N.C. -- Just in time for the holidays, a brand new awards ceremony is honoring a group of kids who often go unrecognized. The inaugural Unique Youth Awards in Durham will roll out the red carpet to honor children with special needs and those with different abilities.

Royelle Hubbert told Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair the idea came to him after sitting with his special needs child, while his other child received an award. He said he wanted to make sure both children felt the recognition they deserve for the many things they do on a daily basis. So he called his friend Banky Eubanks in the middle of the night, and the two came up with the Unique Youth Awards, a way to recognize children of all different abilities with special recognition.

The duo told Blair no child in attendance will go unrecognized, with red carpet treatment and awards while speakers will tell their own stories of how they’ve overcome adversity and live with different abilities. A dinner will follow along with dancing and a night filled with fun.

The first-ever Unique Youth Awards will be held December 14 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at WG Pearson Elementary School in Durham. For more information on the banquet, visit their Facebook page.