I love the Special Olympics!! And I love that the Track and Field event is hosted down the street from us.
I’m amazed every year at how many people give their Friday and/or Saturday to come out and help the athletes compete. Isaac is the only athlete in this picture. Everyone else is a volunteer. And somehow, every year, this is the first weekend of hot (ish) weather. There is always plenty of sunburn to go around and this year gale force winds as a bonus!
This year, Isaac did his best in the 50m dash and the softball throw. Firefighters are there, in gear, to hand out the medals. EMTs and other volunteers staff the medical tent. The police department participates in the Torch Run. Entire school sports teams are there, assisting. Cheerleaders, teachers, volunteer organizations, big hearted people of all kinds. It’s an amazing and humbling event. And it takes every single volunteer to make it happen. Have you ever tried herding cats? It can be little like that.
I love the way that the parents, volunteers and fans cheer on every single athlete, encouraging them to overcome their fears or hesitations and clapping and cheering for them when they complete the task, or when they make their best attempt, regardless of the result. If your joy-o-meter is running low, this is then place for you to be!! Keep an eye out for the opportunity to become involved with this amazing event. There are several events throughout the year.
