Special Olympics is now in Santa Rosa County
Good news! Special Olympics is expanding in Santa Rosa County! In an effort to offer more sports programs for children and adults (8 years old and up) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Special Olympics is starting new bowling programs in Pace and Milton this season. Bowling training will be held at Oops Alley in Pace on Wednesday’s at 10AM. Contact Coach Dee for this program at waitman_d@bellsouth.net. Avalon Bowling Alley in Milton will be hosting a bowling program on Saturday’s from 12pm-2pm. Contact Coach Carolyn for this program at basketsbycarolyn@bellsouth.net. Golf is currently offered in Santa Rosa county, practicing out of Stonebrook in Pace and Tanglewood in Milton.
We are currently accepting applications for new athletes in our bowling program, which will be starting at Oops on August 15th and at Avalon on August 18th. Although Golf is already near the end of the season, it is not too early to start thinking about getting involved next season. All new athletes must have a Special Olympics Medical (also called a “Physical”) form signed by a Doctor in order to start practicing. Once on file with us, these forms are good for 3 years. For potential athletes who do not have a primary Doctor or insurance coverage, the Santa Rosa Health Department is offering free physicals to new Special Olympics athletes! In order to schedule a physical for this purpose, call Special Olympics volunteer Darla Spearing at 983-5200, ex. 178. Physical’s that are already completed may also be turned in to Darla via email at medical@specialolympicssantarosa.org
New volunteers are also welcome to join us in this exciting venture. Volunteers are vital to the Special Olympics movement; they enable us to offer sports training and competition while providing our athletes the opportunity to grow and showcase their skills. We invite you to participate in this unique partnership with Special Olympics to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion in our community.
The Special Olympics movement can ultimately transform communities by inspiring people to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities, and thereby celebrate the similarities common to all people. Our program can only exist with the time, energy, dedication, and commitment of volunteers. Year-round and day-of volunteers work at various levels and fill a wide variety of roles in our program such as coaches and officials for various sports and mentors for the Athlete Leadership Program. Professional community leaders are needed to act as members and chairs for various committees such as Marketing Communications, Fundraising, Finance, Games Management, Medical and various events throughout the year. No matter how much or how little time you have to give, when you volunteer, you will be making a difference in the lives of hundreds of athletes in our local area.
To learn more and get involved with Special Olympics Santa Rosa today, visit www.specialolympicsescambia.org or contact Jessica Barrale at jessicabarrale@specialolympicsescambia.org
