On May 7, 2002, twelve teams of Special Olympics volleyball athletes participated in the Special Olympics D.C. (SODC) Summer Games.  There were nine elementary teams and three adult teams.  As those who attended can attest, the energy and enthusiasm was awe-inspiring from the moment the athletes arrived in the Raymond Dufour Athletic Center at Catholic University to the last point of the final Gold medal match.  Congratulations to all the teams who participated:  PSI Wildcats, Sofit Red, Sofit White, Brightwood Elementary, Taft Elementary, Moten Center A, Moten Center B, Thomas Green, Thomas Tigers, Kramer Elementary (two teams), and M.D. Lee Satellite.

     For those of you unfamiliar with this organization, the mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training opportunities and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with developmental disabilities.  Special Olympics provides the chance for participants to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience the joy of achievement, be included in the community, build skills, and make friends.

     This was the second year that CHRVA was asked to direct the volleyball venue and provide volunteers for the Summer Games.  In addition, this is also the second year that the CHRVA Board of Directors approved a donation of $3,000 to support SODC’s volleyball development program.  The athletes and coaches were most appreciative of the support shown by all the volunteers, and the SODC staff sends their sincerest thanks to all.

     This year, we had a special guest at the Summer Games—Aldis Berzins.  Aldis was a member of the 1984 Volleyball Olympic Gold Medal Team and is currently employed with Special Olympics International (SOI).  He, along with other volunteers from SOI, headed up the Awards Team who presented the gold, silver, and bronze medals to the athletes.

     From some personal observations, I saw our volunteers do many things to provide a memorable experience for the athletes.  For example, our volunteers took the time to instruct the athletes on how to serve, rotate them into the correct positions, cheer for them after every point, and give them “high-five’s” after receiving their medals.  I heard one of our volunteers say that he was amazed and touched by the opportunity to see the joy on the athlete’s faces upon accomplishing what most of us do regularly every time we step onto the volleyball court.

     I would like to thank the following individuals who volunteered their time.  You made a difference in the lives of some very special athletes.  My gratitude to:  Karol Shadle—Event Director; Will Burkett—Announcer; Dick Smith, Rod Anderson, Tracy Shadle, and Tom O’Connor—Referees; Rick McNamara and Sara Wetherbee—2nd Referees; Dixie Collins, Ron Hines, Kelly James, Rachel Malinauskas, Leslie Hopson and Pat Guimaraes—Scorekeepers; Kim Golub, Sue Hines, Mary Malinauskas, Tom Herod, Barbara Faculjak, Brian Zimmerman, Lisa Gratz and Sherry Gratz—Linespeople/Warm-ups/Fans; Aldis Berzins, Emma Bahta, Jeffrey Sanita and Ernesto Hernandez—Awards Team.