Special Olympics West Hawaii

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.

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.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is hosting a softball tournament from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at the Old Kona Airport fields, located behind the Kona Community Aquatics Center.

Six Big Island softball and T-ball teams will compete for spots at the State Special Olympic Summer Games held in late May on Oahu.

Volunteers are needed to help support the participating athletes. Special Olympics West Hawaii, a year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

To get involved or for more information, e-mail volunteer coordinator Dulcie Sorenson at specialolympicswh@gmail.com or head of delegation Lona Warner at 989-2080. Also visit www.sowh.org.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is looking for coaches and volunteers for its Spring sports season.

Athletes will be competing in swimming, softball and t-ball, powerlifting and track and field from February to May. Coaches will be trained at no cost.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is a year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

To get involved or for more information, call SOWH Head of Delegation Lona Warner at  989-2080  or e-mail biglona@hotmail.com.

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.

The Hawaii Police Department will reach new heights next month to support Special Olympics West Hawaii, a year-round program dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities improve their quality of life through sports.

For Cop On Top, local police officers will spend held Sept. 3 through Sept. 5 in the air on scaffolding at the Safeway on Henry Street in Crossroads Center in Kailua-Kona. They will rally support and drop buckets below to those passing by for donations to SOWH.

This year’s goal is to raise $15,000 and the police officers will actually sleep in the scaffolding for the three night — or until the monetary objective is reached.

All funds raised will stay in West Hawaii to be used for the SOWH program and its athletes. Cop On Top is SOWH’s biggest fundraiser of the year. SOWH is a nonprofit organization that is funded by donations, said SOWH Area Director Dave Ross.

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, Ross said.

SOWH appreciates the support 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, Kona Marathon and the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Ross said.

Here are some ways the public can help with Cop On Top:
* MAKE A DONATION – When you do your Safeway shopping Sept. 3 through Sept. 5, contribute. Or, thank the local police officers, athletes, volunteers and Safeway employees for their time and effort in supporting and promoting SOWH.
* GET INVOLVED – Become a part of this Fundraising event. Volunteers are needed to solicit donations and give information about SOWH. Those interested in volunteering should contact SOWH Volunteer Coordinator KC Strand at zionvideos@yahoo.com or 315-7944.

What local nonprofit organization provides sports training, on- and off-island competitions and receives no state or federal funding? What group is entirely run by volunteers and does not charge the participants and the participant’s families any training or travel expenses? If you guessed Special Olympics West Hawaii, you would be correct.

Hawaii Island residents and visitors will be able to support SOWH while enjoying a meal at the Kailua-Kona Denny’s Restaurant between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 16. Denny’s will donate 100 percent of the tips received during this time and 20 percent of all food and drink sales to SOWH.

Project Compassion is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kona, Denny’s Restaurant and several non-profit organizations in Hawaii. The monthly events have raised awareness for many Big Island non-profits and thousands of dollars to support their programs. All proceeds from the events go to the participating charities.

Special Olympics, founded over 40 years ago by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, believes that people with intellectual disabilities can participate in and benefit from participation in team and individual sports with the proper instruction and encouragement. Local and statewide competitions give these athletes the opportunity to measure personal growth and promotes the physical, mental and social development of the participants. Families are strengthened and the broader community benefits from seeing these athletes grow and participate in sports activities.

SOWH’s activities include basketball, softball, T-ball, track & field, swimming, power lifting, soccer and Bocce. All activities take place in an environment that promotes equality, respect and acceptance.

The Athlete’s Oath of Special Olympics is: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” This oath signifies the importance of competition, personal effort and good sportsmanship.

The monies raised from the Project Compassion fundraiser will go toward supporting the Special Olympics West Hawaii’s programs and mission. This includes providing funds for transportation, uniforms and equipment. 

Residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy a meal and support a wonderful local organization on August 16 at Denny’s. Reservations are not required.
For more information about Special Olympics West Hawaii, contact David Ross at 808-345-1344 or by email at sowhdave@yahoo.com. Also learn more about SOWH programs online at www.sowh.org.

To learn more  about the the Rotary Club of Kona’s Project Compassion, send an e-mail to Sue McConnel, who can be reached at samcconnel@aol.com.