Special Olympics of Alamance County, in partnership with Elon Volunteers!, hosted its annual Spring Games at Belk Track on May 2 with participation by hundreds of regional athletes.
More than 350 athletes crowded around Belk Track on May 2, 2014, to participate in Special Olympics of Alamance County’s annual Spring Games. Athletes represented in excess of 50 elementary, middle, high schools and group home facilities in Alamance County.
Mayor Jerry Peterson from Graham, N.C., hosted the event and kept the crowd entertained throughout the day.
The Spring Games are a hallmark of Special Olympics of Alamance County, who offers programming throughout the year. The games give athletes a chance to compete against others in their age group in two main events: track and the softball throw. While some athletes take the competition seriously, others are just there to have fun.
Additionally, athletes had the opportunity to participate in several non-competitive activities in OlympicTown, the free-time area for athletes. OlympicTown included activities hosted by students from Elon’s Department of Physical Therapy, a goal-kicking station sponsored by Elon’s varsity men’s and women’s soccer teams, poster signings by Elon’s varsity football team, arts and crafts provided by a local middle school and a medical screening tent provided by the local community.
Elon Volunteers! each year helps to coordinate two Special Olympics events. Events involve hundreds of student, faculty and staff volunteers who cheer athletes and build relationships with them throughout the day.
“My co-coordinator, Brooke Faison, and I were extremely pleased by the support of the university at the Spring Games,” said Elon University junior Grace Troccoli, an EV! team leader. “It was great to be able to see students, faculty and staff from diverse areas of campus coming together to cheer on our athletes! We are especially thankful for the assistance of Physical Plant, Campus Security and Police and ARAMARK for donating their time and resources to our event.”
Special Olympics is one of many events EV! coordinates throughout the year, including Blood Drives, Poverty Simulations, and the JDRF walk. For more information on any EV! program, contact the EV! office at elonvols@elon.edu or like EV! on Facebook.
– Story submitted by Evan Small, assistant director of student programs in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement