The Madison County Special Olympics took place on Tuesday, October 23rd at Milton Frank Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama. Hundreds of caring, enthusiastic volunteers, including Bob Jones students, helped with this event.
The Special Olympics started in the early 1960’s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She grew up with a sister that had a mental disability and believed that people with mental disabilities should be given the same opportunities that other people have. Her idea started as a day camp and it ended up being an international organization. This and other facts about the Special Olympics can be found at specialolympics.org.
Special Olympics hosts athletic events, just like the winter or summer Olympics, for mentally disabled people. This gives them an opportunity to have fun while competing, and it also promotes self-confidence.
Many students from Bob Jones who volunteered at the Special Olympics really enjoyed it. Miranda Wright said, “I liked helping because the kids are really sweet, and they’re always excited when you cheer them on.”
Each participant had his own volunteer helping them and encouraging them to do their best. Track and field events took place and prizes were awarded to the winners. The main goal in Special Olympics is to empower people with disabilities and to let them shine as individuals.
