NOTE: This profile is part of a weekly series intended to show the hearts and guts of Special Olympics West Hawaii participants. It is also a chance to get to know each other better. Readers will hopefully gain a better appreciation and knowledge of what each athlete, coach, volunteer, family member, friend or supporter brings to the organization. Enjoy!
Name: Damian S. Extor
Age: 19
Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
What sports and activities do you participate in with Special Olympics West Hawaii? Which activity do you like best?
I play basketball, softball and soccer. I help at fundraisers and like to go to picnics. I like soccer because you can kick hard, but I like football best because you can tackle and run.
What have you learned through SOWH or gained from being part of a team?
You need to be on time. Listen to your coach and teammates.
Why did you join SOWH?
I couldn’t play in Washington anymore because we moved here.
How long have you been with SOWH?
I have played with Special Olympics for seven years.
What is the best part about participating with Special Olympics?
The best part is meeting new people. All the people at Special Olympics I consider my ohana.
Do you have any hobbies or activities that you like to do during your free time?
I like to collect and play with toy cars. Mattel is better than Hot Wheels cars. I love cars. I also like video games and music. I also collect pens. I don’t like chores.
Who is your favorite professional athlete or role model and why?
I like to watch the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong is very good. He is awesome.
Share an accomplishment — something you’re proud of.
I’m proud that I’m learning to work at the Arc of Kona. I like getting a paycheck.
What goal do you hope to accomplish?
I might try track or swimming.
Favorite pitch, swim stroke or sports technique/move? Why?
I like hitting home runs.
Special Olympics West Hawaii is conducting bocce ball practice from 3 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at Pualani Estates’ fields. Also, SOHW is holding basketball practice from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Kekuaokalani Gym. For more information, call Lona Warner, head of delegation, at 989-2080.
West Hawaii Today reporter Chelsea Jensen wrote a great followup article about Cop on Top, the annual fundraiser for Special Olympics West Hawaii. The story was published Sept. 12 and can be viewed on the newspaper’s Web site. Here’s an excerpt:
While the Cop on Top event in Kailua-Kona earlier this month may not have netted Special Olympics West Hawaii’s goal of $15,000, the $13,101 donated will help the organization purchase equipment and uniforms, train coaches and send athletes to area and state Special Olympics tournaments this fall and winter, said Special Olympics West Hawaii Area Director Dave Ross.
“We had a good turnout, people were very generous. Our goal was $15,000, which we didn’t reach, but we made more money this year in a bad economy than last year when the economy wasn’t that bad,” Ross said, noting that the 2008 event netted about $11,300 in Kona. “Thumbs up to everybody.”
West Hawaii Today reporter Chelsea Jensen wrote a fantastic article about Cop On Top, an annual fundraiser for Special Olympics West Hawaii. The story was published Sept. 4 and can be viewed on the newspaper’s Web site. Here’s an excerpt:
Thursday, at 6 a.m. sharp, officers climbed atop 20 feet of scaffolding, perching themselves above the Kailua-Kona Safeway parking lot calling upon customers to donate any extra money to the West Hawaii athletes.
Ah Mow and Sgt. Rollin Rabara, who are both using personal vacation time to participate in the event, will eat, sleep and collect donations for more than 50 hours this weekend. When night arrives, the music will quiet and Rabara and Ah Mow will nestle into their sleeping bags knowing that at 6 a.m. sharp, it’s time to continue raising funds for the athletes.
The officers will not step down until 2 p.m. Saturday, even if they make their goal of collecting some $15,000 for West Hawaii athletes before then, said Ah Mow, noting that throughout the three-day fundraising event other officers, as well as cadets, join in the effort.
“Just to see the faces on these athletes is why we do this — it’s total satisfaction and we are blessed to do what we can for these athletes,” Ah Mow said.
If $15,000 isn’t collected during the Labor Day weekend, officers will remain at the site until the goal has been reached, said Special Olympics West Hawaii Area Director Dave Ross.
“It takes a lot of passion to do it. It’s all about trying to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Rabara, who has also stood atop the scaffolding with Ah Mow for the past six years. “It’s even more gratifying to make a difference in someone else’s life who may not live what we feel to be a normal life.”
