The Special Olympics

On Saturday, October 3rd area walkers and runners will be taking their marks and setting off to raise money for a good cause. The Special Olympics “2 Feet for 28″ Walk/Run will benefit the Special Olympics athletes of Michigan Area 28 (Clinton County). The Walk/Run will take place at the “Celebrate Fall” Festival at The Peacock Road Tree Farm in Laingsburg. Registration starts at 9am, and the Walk/Run begins at 10am.

Special Olympics Area 28 provides sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for the children and adults with intellectual disabilities living in Clinton County. Athletes are given continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness; demonstrate courage; experience joy; and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

Although sports is the “vehicle,” the ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate and receive respect as members of their communities.

Area 28 Special Olympics program is run strictly by volunteers who offer their time and talents in a number of ways. Volunteers serve in a variety of positions including area management, chaperoning, coaching, fund raising, and assisting at tournaments and events. Special Olympics does not charge athletes or their families to participate in the program. Area 28 Special Olympics receives no state or federal funding, but relies on contributions from local individuals, businesses, and organizations. These contributions may be money, equipment, facilities, supplies and/or time. All monies raised by Area 28 stay in Clinton County.

Special Olympics oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, Let me brave in the attempt!”

For more information about the Walk/Run for Special Olympics Michigan Area 28 contact somia28@shianet.org or call 517 669-7704.

The Peacock Road Tree Farm is located in the rolling countryside near Laingsburg, 9853 Peacock Rd. For more information, directions and a virtual tour of the farm visit peacockroadtreefarm.com. For more information regarding the other festival events contact Ronda Liskey 517 651-6198 or Ed Carpenter 517 651-9193.