UPDATE: Special Olympics sets records for volunteerism

UPDATE:

The Kiwanis Club of The Woodlands couldn't be more pleased with the participation in their 31st annual event, not just from the athletes but the 582 volunteers who showed up on a beautiful Saturday morning, March 28, many on the spur-of-the-moment.

Several of the sponsores provided water so it was impossible to assess the number of bottles of water consumed, but 430 burgers were grilled by Culver's of The Woodlands, to feed the congregation.

The Kiwanis of The Woodlands extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated...athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers, who were on hand to ensure the success of the games.



ORIGINAL STORY:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - Everything about the Special Olympics Saturday, March 28, was special. The weather was especially beautiful, resulting in a great turnout, and some extraordinary performances by the athletes. Organized by Kiwanis Club of The Woodlands and hosted by Oak Ridge High School, the 31st Annual Special Olympics Invitational featured 322 athletes and 55 coaches from thirteen different teams.

The teams participating in the Olympics included (in alphabetical order): Brenham Cubs, College Station ISD A-Team, Cullen Cougars, Conroe Stars, Huntsville ISD Hornet Heroes, Inspiration Village Indians, Magnolia Champions, Magnolia Magic, New Caney Nitros, Texas Tornadoes, Warriors of The Woodlands, Washington County Bears, and the Willis Kool Kats. The Conroe Stars fielded a team of 154 athletes, almost half of the field; but all had an opportunity to star in their respective sports.

In keeping with Olympic tradition, the event began with the Olympic torch relay carried by athletes from the various clubs present, who were escorted by the official torch bearer, Dereck Rush, head football coach for Oak Ridge High School.

Color guard presenting the colors during the National Anthem and leading the parade of athletes was provided by the Oak Ridge High Air Force JROTC. Singing the National Anthem was Carol Regester from the choir of First Baptist Church of Conroe, followed by the invocation by Rev. John Callison of The Woodlands Christian Church. Immediately following, the games were declared open by the Honorary Chairperson, Bruce Tough, Chairman of The Woodlands Township.

“We were blessed to have such beautiful weather,” said Rachell Baldwin, Area Director for the Special Olympics. “It definitely had a bearing on all the support that we have out here today.”

To enable the athletes to perform their best, food and beverages were provided by many generous food establishments in the community...Chick-fil-A, Crust Pizza, Culver’s of The Woodlands, Egg & I, TGI Friday’s, Which Wich Lake Robbins, and area grocery stores: Costco, HEB, Sam’s Club, and Walmart. Costco and HEB kept up an all-day vigil at the event, providing water for hydration, fruit and snacks.

The success was due in large part to the sponsors who make the event possible through generous funding and include: Bradbury Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Coca Cola of Conroe, Consolidated Communications, Global Print Group, and the YMCA. And it wouldn’t be an Olympic competition without medals, compliments of Richie’s Specialty Pharmacy.

Chairman of Volunteers, Ron Atkinson, attributed the success of the games to the legion of volunteers which donated their time to selflessly; many staying for the entire event.

“The program acknowledged 350 volunteers, but it was actually 450,” said Atkinson.

As indicated by Rachell Baldwin, the beautiful weather may have been responsible for the increase above the expected volunteer headcount.

This list of volunteers included the following National Charity League Chapters: Bluebonnet, Magnolia, Montgomery, Texas Laurels, The Woodlands, and the National Charity Roundtable. Also the Key Clubs from these area high schools: Carl Wunsche Sr. High, College Park, Covenant Christian, Klein Collins and Klein High, Oak Ridge High, The Woodlands High School, Irons Jr. High, and also American Heritage Girls Troop of Texas, #1230.

Corporations, churches, and non-profit organizations providing volunteers included: Coca Cola of Conroe, Consolidated Communications, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Kiwanis Noon Club, Needham Road Baptist Church, Sam Houston Statue University Adaptive PE, Team RWB (Red, White & Blue), The Woodlands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as well as many individuals in the community.

A special shoutout to the athletic programs and the students of Oak Ridge: football, baseball, track & field, soccer, swimming, the National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook Staff, and Oak Ridge RHO KAPPA. So significant was their participation and encouragement, many of the Special Olympic athletes performed their personal best.

One of the special moments in the Special Olympics was Justin Dubose, the sole entry in the 3000-meter run. This was the first time anyone has entered this event in the 31 years of The Woodlands Special Olympics. A student at The Woodlands High School, all rivalry aside, after running solo for 6.5 laps around the track, the Oak Ridge baseball team joined Justin on the seventh and final lap to cheer him on. His official time was an impressive 11:36.

Immediately after finishing his 3000-meter run, Dubose ran the first leg of the 4x100-meter relay for the Conroe Stars, and set a grueling pace that enabled his relay team to take the gold.

The Special Olympics is special for a number of reasons...not only because it include athletes with special needs, but because it provides the opportunity for them to perform some incredibly special feats, and it allows the community to come together and contribute their specialties in especially generous ways.

#SpecialOlympics #Kiwanis