Special Olympics

Ron Leonard, Coordinator, 330-479-3860

Special Olympics was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Today, Special Olympics occur in more than 150 countries with approximately 1,000,000 participants world-wide. There are 26 sports offered and approximately 500,000 volunteers working with Special Olympians throughout the world.

Ohio Special Olympics

The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympics style sports for children, eight years and older, as well as adults with mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and members of the community

In Ohio there are approximately 21,000 athletes participating in Special Olympics, as part of 200 accredited programs, which are organized into 13 areas and four sections. We, at Stark MRDD, compete as part of Area 10 in the North Section. In Ohio, there are 18 Special Olympics sports offered.

Community Support

Volunteers are vital to the Special Olympics program. They add individual coaching, encouragement, socialization, and recognition as athletes progress in their physical development and skill building.

While Stark MRDD provides coaches and transportation, community donations help to provide uniforms, equipment, supplies, and registration fees. The support of individuals and organizations makes it possible to offer more options to more individuals in the Special Olympics program.

Stark MRDD Special Olympics

Stark MRDD Special Olympics athletes currently compete in eight Special Olympics Sports. Approximately 350 individuals are currently registered with the Stark MRDD Special Olympics Program.

BASKETBALL (November - March).

The program consists of two male teams, one female team and a skills program. Teams practice and compete two - three times a week. The Skills team practices once a week, with one - two local competitions scheduled. All three teams and the skills program participants attend the North Section Basketball Tournament yearly. Some members of the skills program are selected to attend the State Basketball tournament in March. All Three teams must qualify for the state "Final Four" tournament by winning the North Section Tournament.

BOWLING (January - June).

The program consists of a nine week bowling league, during April / May / June. Additionally, there are two-three bowling tournaments that individuals may choose to participate in from March through June. Some of the bowling tournament participants are chosen each year to attend the state summer games at Ohio State University in June.

DEVELOPMENTAL (January - May).

The program emphasizes training for athletes with modest swimming skills. Additionally, there are two competitive Developmental / Motor Activity events.

TRACK AND FIELD (March - June).

The team practices one - two times a week and competes in approximately four Invitational meets. Some of the team members attend the state summer games at Ohio State University each June.

VOLLEYBALL (March - June).

Two teams typically make up the volleyball program. One team competes in a regulation division and one team competes in a modified division. Teams practice one - two times a week, and are involved in a number of dual competitions as well as one - two tournaments. Both volleyball teams have traditionally attended the state summer games, at Ohio State University in June.

BOCCE (March - June).

The Bocce team practices one - two times a week and attends several tournaments each year. Additionally, someof the team members attend the state summer games at Ohio State University in June.

SOFTBALL (June - September)

The program consists of two teams and a skills program. Teams practice and compete two times a week typically. The Skills program participants practice once a week. Both teams and the skills program participants attend the North Section softball tournament yearly. Some members of the skills team are selected each year to compete in the state softball tournament. Both teams must qualify at the North Section tournament, to go to the state Softball tournament "Final Four" in September.

SWIMMING (Sept - December)

The swim team practices once a week and typically attends three - four local competitions. Additionally, some of the team members attend the state competition at Ohio State University each December.

If you would like to assist our Special Olympics athletes by volunteering or donating, please contact Special Olympic Local Coordinator, Ron Leonard at 330-479-3860, Address: Whipple-Dale Centre, 2950 Whipple Ave NW, Canton Ohio 44708.

Special event: Everyone's a winner at Jaycees-MRDD Olympics

Story in May 12, 2008 Repository

BY LISA REICOSKY
REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER

NORTH CANTON The event is called the Special Olympics, but somehow "special" doesn't quite capture the scene.

More than 100 exceptional, spirited, extraordinary, and yes, special, athletes competed Saturday at North Canton Memorial Stadium in the North Canton Jaycees-Stark County MRDD Invitational Track Meet and Bocce Competition.

Under a blue, sunny sky, teams from Stark Public Schools Special Olympics, Stark County MRDD, Hudson Special Olympics, the Medina Society of Handicapped Citizens, and Medina MRDD competed for ribbons in track and field events that included individual races, relays, the softball throw, shot put, long jump and many more.

Among the competitors, ages 16 to over 60, were new athletes and a few seasoned veterans.

Louise Cox has been competing in Special Olympics for 30 years. At age 48, she is a leader among Stark MRDD members.

"It's fun meeting friends and getting along with other people," said Cox, who changes events every year to keep things fresh. "I will come back until I retire, when I'm 55. That's old to me."

For first-time competitor Mike Miller, 23, the ribbons and experience came a close second behind the other highlight of his day.

"My favorite thing was getting interviewed by The Repository," he said with a smile.

Assistant Coach Darla Orenchuk, who volunteers with her husband, John, and coaches their son, also named John, said the Stark MRDD team practices twice a week, and some already have qualified for the state meet in Columbus in June.

"There were no big surprises today," she said of the local meet. "And no big surprises are good things."

Her husband added, "This has done (John) a lot of good. It teaches him to wait in line, and share, and respect others' personal space."

For the younger John, the highlight of the day was running the final leg of the torch relay.

"I got to light the flame," he said enthusiastically.

Nick Doll, 18, of Canton, competed with the Royal Knights of the Canton Public Schools and won first place in the 100-meter dash.

"We come out and have fun and it doesn't matter if you win or lose," he said.

His proud mother, Elaine Doll, added, "It's so special because he can do what all the typical kids are doing. He experiences the whole thrill and success of it."

Among the volunteers Saturday were Hoover High School student athletes. Erica Cornell, Katie Eastman, Taylor Martinelli, and Cece Ramsey worked the awards table and learned some life lessons in the process.

"I love this," said Ramsey. "They are so happy."

"It's very touching," said Eastman.

Cornell summed it all up: "They are happy no matter what happens, which is what we should all be like."

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