History
Nationally
Special Olympics started in June of 1963, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a summer day camp for children and adults who were physically and mentally handicapped. Shriver is the executive vice-president of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation. She is the honorary chairman of Special Olympics.
In 1968, Special Olympics International was established as a non-profit charitable organization under the laws of the District of Columbia. The National Association of Retarded Citizens, The Council for Exceptional Children and the American Association of Mental Deficiency pledge their support. This was the first systematic effort to provide sports training and athletic competition for individuals with mental retardation. Special Olympics growth has been spectacular since those first years. There are accredited Special Olympics programs in more than 144 countries with new programs continually developing. In the United States there are established chapters in all 50 states.
Locally
In Elko the Special Olympics chapter has been quite a success and the program has helped a tremendous amount of our local physically and mentally challenged citizens. The Special Olympics program director in Elko is Sue Davis. Sue is an energetic and caring mother and is also the program director at the Vitality Center which rehabilitates dependency problems. Mrs. Davis has a bright, energetic daughter named Cari that is a competitor in the local and state games. Special Olympics is a non-profit organization and has fund raisers every year to help pay for equipment, travel expenses to tournaments etc. A great example of this is the "Muddy Ball" game every year that is a messy good time all to raise money for the local Special Olympics.
There are many events that the local competitors participate in. But the best event of all is the friendships that are made here. They all appreciate the fun and meeting new people that the Special Olympics brings to their life. Bowling practices, Picnics, and traveling to tournaments after being coached and trained are all part of the Organization that caters to our special citizens of Elko.
We also have several Olympic champions here locally who have done an amazing job in competition. Molly Barth is an Elko resident and at the tender age of 13 has made some amazing accomplishments. Molly is a beautiful Junior High School girl who absolutely LOVES to bowl. When Molly was just 10 years old she participated in the Las Vegas Special Olympics and won the Gold for the softball throw, the Silver for the 100 yard dash and the Bronze for the 50 yard dash. Molly has only reached the surface with what she can accomplish. With her energy and love for sports, she will go far!
Arnold Pederson is 58 years old and has proved that age isn't a factor in competing with the special Olympics. He thoroughly enjoys the events and makes the practices.
Cari Davis is a bright 26 year old girl who enjoys the games and is a winner of several medals from competitions. Including the Gold, Silver, and the Bronze.
Tessa Blake is 17 years old and doesn't let her disability get in the way when she's competing. She enjoys to bowl and is probably better than some of the local leaguers here in town.
Bill McCormack is 41 and is employed by the Easter Seals. Bill loves basketball and hockey and has traveled to Louisana for a basketball game to compete in. Bill never misses practice and loves the events and friends that he has made while being a competitor.
These amazing athletes can be seen at the gallery.
There are so many stories to be told with our local friends and competitors in the Special Olympics. Many memories have been made, and many more are to come. Adult and children alike are improving their self esteem, getting healthier, making new friends, and learning new skills they thought they might not have been able to do. Competition and friendship are synonymous here, the local chapter of the Special Olympics is a great success and will even be better in the years to come.
