Special Olympics West Hawaii

Jeremy Curlings, founder of Making Smiles Count, attended Special Olympics West Hawaii’s kickoff barbecue and T-ball practice in February 2010. He enjoyed meeting and hanging out with SOWH athletes, volunteers, coaches and the rest of the ohana. Impressed and honored to have met so many wonderful people, he decided to do something special.

While at the annual Summer Games and other Special Olympics events in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, Curlings notice organizers giving away their leftover T-shirts. He grabbed a few and decided to give them to SOWH athletes.

“I chose to give T-shirts from Washington, D.C., events because the athletes in West Hawaii have heard of our nation’s Capitol. I thought would it not be cool for some of them to be able to have something from our nation’s Capitol that has to do with Special Olympics,” Curlings said. “This was also a way for me to show to many of the Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes that I was thinking about them.”

Curlings writes a personal message, as well as signs each T-shirts. Of course, he adds the M.S.C., which stands for Making Smiles Count. Of the 24 T-shirts, he has nine left — eight mediums and one large.

Any SOWH athlete, volunteer, coach, unified partner or family member interested in receiving one of these special T-shirts should email MSCMakingSmiles@aol.com.

Curlings thanked the Special Olympics organizers in Washington, D.C., and Maryland for giving him the event shirts, which have allowed him to give an awesome gift. He plans to mail the T-shirts this week to SOWH Area Director Dave Ross, who will pass them out.

Asked what he wants the T-shirt recipients to take way, Curlings responded, “A smile.   And, I hope they know there are people in this world that are 5,000 miles away that have helped their son’s and daughters in the past and have not forgotten about them.”

The following photos were taken by SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar. She delightfully captured SOWH Area Director Dave Ross delivering T-shirts Curlings sent to local athletes, volunteers and coaches.

Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes, unified partners and volunteers interested in learning or competing in bocce ball should attend the sport’s first practice, from 3:15 to 5 p.m. June 8 at Pualani Estates park.

This ancient game, dating back to the Roman Empire, closely resembles bowling. It requires skill, strategy and a little luck. There are four to eight large balls, weighing just over two pounds. They differentiated by designs. The Jack, a smaller ball in a different color, is tossed first. Whoever lands his larger ball closest to the Jack gets a point. The person with the most points wins.

Practice will be held from 3:15 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at the park.

For more information or to get involved, call SOWH Head of Delegation and Bocce Ball Coach Lona Warner at 808-327-0491 or 808-989-2080.

Please enjoy the following photos taken during Special Olympics Hawaii’s Summer Games. held at the University of Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend. This event features 3 days of competition for more 700 athletes in Track & Field (Athletics), Swimming (Aquatics), Powerlifting, and Softball (includes Unified® Softball, Coach Pitch, T-Ball, and Individual Skills). The Summer Games marks the end of the Spring season.

Special Olympics West Hawaii’s softball team brought home the gold medal, beating Hilo’s team 18 to 2 for the championship, said Nikki Cleintuar, longtime SOWH volunteer and spokeswoman.

“Congratulations to all our athletes. Mahalo to Area Director Dave Ross, all the coaches and volunteers,” she said. “Your hard work, caring and support helped to make it a great season and a fantastic weekend.”

Thanks to SOWH volunteers Jizelle Yates and the Wong ohana, as well as Coach Denise Lindsey, for sharing your fantastic photos with Special Olympics West Hawaii ohana. To view, Denise’s entire album, click here. The Wong’s album is here.

Please enjoy the following photos taken during Special Olympics West Hawaii’s annual fundraiser, Cop On Top. To learn more about the event, read the fantastic articles written by West Hawaii Today reporter Chelsea Jensen and Hawaii247.com.

View the entire album of awesome photos taken by Nikki Cleintuar and other SOWH volunteers by clicking here.

Special Olympics West Hawaii volunteer Doreen Parker took the following photos from the Swim Meet on Maui, which she described as a successful trip and great time.

“We have an awesome team — the SOWH Sharks,” she said. “Mahalo plenty to Lona, Toshi, Dan, Chris, Sandie and Kit for making my job easier!”

Please enjoy the following photos taken during Special Olympics West Hawaii’s annual softball tournament, which took place March 28 at the Old Kona Airport fields. Six Big Island softball and T-ball teams competed for spots at the State Special Olympic Summer Games held in late May on Oahu.

To view the entire album, click here. Nikki Cleintuar, a SOWH volunteer and fantastic lady, took these photos.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is participating in the 32nd annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, a statewide event that occurs simultaneously Saturday, May 15, on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.

More than 9,500 walkers raised $1.12 million and helped 190 local charities, including SOWH, in 2008.

The Big Island event begins at 6:45 a.m. for runners and 7 a.m. for walkers at the Mauna Lani Resort. The course is 3 miles. Participants can register from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. prior to the event.

Volunteers are needed to man the SOWH aid station located along the walking route. Want to help? Call SOWH Area Director Dave Ross at 345-1344 or e-mail sowhdave@yahoo.com.

SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, friends and supporters are also encouraged to participate in the Charity Walk. The entry is $35 for adults and $25 for those under 18 years of age, which includes a morning of fun, food, entertainment and exercise.

For more information about the Charity Walk, call Ian Pullan, of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, at 885-2000.

Due to a change of management at Safeway in Kailua-Kona, Cop On Top will now be held in the Spring instead of in the Fall.

This annual fundraiser for Special Olympics West Hawaii will start at 6 a.m. Thursday, April 29, and conclude in the afternoon of Saturday, May 1. During those three days, local police officers will live on scaffolding in front of Safeway on Henry Street, rallying support and dropping buckets below to those passing by for donations to SOWH.

This is the biggest fundraiser for the organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities improve their quality of life through sports.

SOWH needs volunteers to help collect donations in front of Safeway during the event. To get involved or for more information about Cop On Top, e-mail volunteer coordinator Dulcie Sorenson at specialolympicswh@gmail.com or call SOWH Area Director Dave Ross at 345-1344.

The Hawaii Police Department and volunteers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kailua-Kona Sunday, April 11, in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics athletes.

This event, known as the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, is a tradition in the law enforcement community around the world. It begins at 9 a.m. at First Hawaiian Bank in the Lanihau Shopping Center.

The “Flame of Hope” will be carried along Alii Drive, go to Hale Halewai and end at The Club in Kona, where the Special Olympics West Hawaii Powerlifting Tournament will be held directly after the run.

The public is encouraged to attend the SOWH Powerlifting Tournament. Scores will be used at the State Summer Special Olympic Games on Oahu in late May.

Those who make donations of $20 or more will receive a free commemorative 2010 Troy Barboza/First Hawaiian Bank Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirt or tank top. A $25 donation entitles the donor to a long-sleeved shirt or one in XXXL size.

For more information about the Torch Run, call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. To donate supplies or volunteer for the tournament, call SOWH Area Director Dave Ross at 345-1344.