26.Aug.2009 SOWH hosts Ohana Jam Fest

Special Olympics West Hawaii is hosting its first-ever Ohana Jam Fest Aug. 30 at the Keauhou Kona Yatch Club on Keauhou Bay.

From noon to 8 p.m., there will be performances by local bands, food, drinks, and door prizes donated by Big Island businesses.

Attendees are asked to give a $10 donation as a suggested admission. All the proceeds will go to SOWH, a free, year-round program dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities improve their quality of life through sports.

SOWH helps athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skill and friendship with fellow athletes, families and the community. SOWH teams compete in Area Games on the Big Island and on Maui in order to qualify for the State Games on Oahu, where Special Olympics teams throughout the Hawaiian Islands compete for medals. SOWH is a nonprofit organization that is funded by donations, said Area Director Dave Ross.

The money received goes toward transportation and housing costs, sports equipment, coaches training, and local events such as community barbeques. SOWH appreciates the support of the local community and makes giving back a priority. Annually, SOWH participates in service projects like beach cleanups, tree plantings, as well as runs aid stations for Ironman events, The Kona Marathon, and The Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Ross said.

For more information about the Ohana Jam Fest or SOWH, contact Ross at 345-1344 or sowhdave@yahoo.com. Also visit www.sowh.org.