by April Kramer

With spring rain falling continuously, dark clouds took a break on one warm and clear Saturday morning as the stars began to arrive by the busload at Memorial Stadium in Springfield. They entered the main gate scanning the track and bleachers, exhilarated by a sight they had prepared for all year. The athletes wore team uniforms and carried loaded duffel bags containing all the equipment and gear they would need to compete in the events they had trained for intensely. On May 4, 2002, the Spring Games of Sangamon and Menard Counties brought together 195 athletes from the Sangamon Special Olympics/Area 17 for a day of events unlike any other that will occur there for the rest of the year.

The Spring Games and events like them allow athletes to build relationships with friends, coaches and their families. They not only learn about goals and success, they teach their community about determination and achievement. Just as Olympic athletes perfect fundamentals, rules and strategies with their coaches, the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois train in the same manner throughout the year for their specified events. As serious athletes, they take their

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confidence and determination with them in their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job, and in the community. Through Special Olympics, the athletes truly experience motivation, success and teamwork.

Watching the teamwork and positive attitudes of the athletes in action is a true inspiration for people of all ages. Fans stayed in the bleachers all day to watch as dreams came true for their friends and family members. These are the kind of dreams occurring in the state of Illinois year-round, in the form of indoor and outdoor seasonal sports that give persons with mental disabilities a chance to shine, and opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.

Nearly 200 people lined up at Memorial Stadium to support the athletes in a day of track and field events. They walked through the gates, some of them new and curious, some of them old-pros and ready for the day. They signed in, put on their nametags and their logo T-shirts. And these 200 people were only the volunteers for the Sangamon Spring Games.

At the Sangamon Spring Games' awards tent for track events, groups of competitors lined up to receive their medals. Volunteers escorted the athletes to their positions on the awards platform with a smile and sometimes a friendly hug. Friends, family, coaches and volunteers gathered around for the continuous ceremonies and applauded their hearts out for every athlete announced on the speaker system. The athletes bowed their heads to receive a medal as volunteers shook their hands and commended them for their achievement.

Shelley Vaughan, the Area Director for Sangamon Special Olympics Illinois, was delighted at the 200 volunteers who donated their hearts and time to the event, "That is an impressive number, and I think our community and surrounding communities should be commended for their efforts. The turnout this year by far exceeded last year." Of the volunteers, 75 had registered the day of the event to show their dedication to the athletes.

Volunteers show support by attending and donating their time to the games. "Our volunteers are an integral part of our on-going success. We rely on them to serve on event committees, coach our athletes, assist in running our events, and help with fundraising activities," Vaughan says. On their own, volunteers offer encouragement, congratulations and kindness as they meet athletes throughout

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the day of an event.

Volunteers receive the utmost respect and appreciation, because without them, Special Olympics could not exist or run so successfully. Illinois receives help from more than 25,000 volunteers. Mary Releford of Springfield volunteered for the first time this year as a presenter of medals. "Seeing the smiles on the athletes' faces when I gave them their medals made me feel good. The hugs and appreciation made it worth every minute. I see myself doing this every year," Releford comments. Next year, her daughter, Amanda, will be old enough to volunteer. "I think children should come and see what the Special Olympics are about and how hard these people work. It's also a great opportunity for them to learn about contribution and compassion at an early age," adds Releford.

Many teenagers from high school organizations volunteer, and children as young as 10 are also allowed to take part. Parents and coaches of athletes, members from organizations like the Knights of Columbus, and many others from the community donate their time to these events. "There is an opportunity for everyone. It proves to be a rewarding experience for all. We have volunteers that have been with us for more than 20 years. That is dedication!" Vaughan says.

Sandi Carlson, field engineer at Corn Belt Energy Corporation, has been chairman of the souvenir committee for Special Olympics of Illinois statewide events since 1982. The inventory and stock of souvenirs has been "an on-going challenge with the growth of the program over the years," says Carlson. Her dedication to the program is often recognized through the kind gestures of athletes, families and coaches. "I have a number of each that stop by to catch my attention, just to wave and let me know they are there," says Carlson. Rewards like these are priceless and keep volunteers coming back each year for more.

Another important source of support comes from sponsors. Touchstone Energy has supported the Special Olympics for more than two years. "The Illinois Touchstone Energy® cooperatives' involvement with Special Olympics began in 2000 when the group voted to designate it their charity of choice," says Nancy Nixon, Marketing Administrator for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives and liaison for Touchstone Energy. "One of the four core values of Touchstone Energy is 'commitment to community' and the Illinois coops feel that sponsoring Special Olympics is an excellent way to demonstrate that value." There are 20 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in Illinois and they all participate in fundraising opportunities, knowing that all proceeds go to Special Olympics.

On June 7, several cooperatives held a joint key accounts event at Eagle Creek Resort in Findlay. During the outing, "mulligans" (golf stroke subtractions) were sold, raising $750 for Special Olympics. Along with half the proceeds from a 50/50 drawing and an additional 'kick-in' from participating co-ops, the total donation came out to more than $1,000 for the day.

Touchstone Energy cooperatives raise money year-round in many creative ways. The Cooperative Balloon Associates (CBA), which is composed of 10 Touchstone Energy cooperatives that jointly own the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon, supports the Special Olympics by donating $170 for each day the balloon competes or even appears at Illinois events. "In 2000, CBA donated $1,020 and in 2001, the organization donated $1,530 to Special Olympics," Nixon says.

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Touchstone Energy cooperatives also contribute to a pool of statewide/regional money each year. To date, cooperatives have donated $7,000 to Special Olympics from the fund. But sponsors donate more than money. They also donate time, dedication, loyalty, kindness and compassion. "We rely on donations from our sponsors state-wide and area-wide. Our sponsors help make our programs possible by their generous contributions," says Vaughan.

Funds raised for Special Olympics Illinois come from individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, service clubs, and special events. Special Olympics does not typically receive government grants, or financial assistance from the Kennedy Foundation or United Way. Donations from sponsors like Touchstone Energy are vital to the success of Special Olympics Illinois and are deeply appreciated by the athletes who know these sponsors help make it possible for the organization to exist. "We feel good about supporting a cause that helps so many people who, without Special Olympics, might never experience success and the joy that's associated with it," Nixon says. "Touchstone Energy has a tagline, 'the power of human connections,' and that makes our cooperatives a perfect match for an organization such as Special Olympics."

The Special Olympics program operates as a registered, non-profit organization governed by a board of directors based in Washington, D.C. The First International Special Olympic Games were held in Chicago at Soldier Field, where 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada competed in track, field and aquatics events. Today, more than 19,500 athletes, ages 8 and older, compete in the state of Illinois alone throughout the year.

Training and competition are offered through Special Olympics Illinois in 19 sports including alpine skiing, aquatics (swimming), athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, bowling, cross country skiing, equestrian, figure skating, floor hockey, football (soccer), golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, snow-shoeing, soft-ball, speed skating, tennis and volleyball. Competitions are held at the area, regional and state levels. More than 1 million athletes compete worldwide from more than 150 countries. The numbers continue to grow thanks to the support of coaches, volunteers, donations, sponsors, family and friends.

The state of Illinois is divided into 17 areas. Each has an Area Director who coordinates local competition, fundraising and administration. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics, volunteering or providing financial support call Special Olympics Illinois at (800) 394-0562. They can answer your questions or direct you to the appropriate Area Director. For up-to-date information on the Web, visit Special Olympics Illinois at www.soill.org.

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