West Hawaii Today reporter and Special Olympics West Hawaii Blog editor Carolyn Lucas wrote an awesome article about the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run, which benefits Special Olympics. The story was published April 12 and can be viewed on the newspaper’s Web site. Here’s an excerpt:
Speech wasn’t necessary to communicate 18-year-old Isaiah Wong’s joy Sunday.
The nonverbal Special Olympics West Hawaii athlete clutched tightly in his hand the “Flame of Hope,” smiled enormously upon seeing the crowd gathered at The Club in Kailua-Kona and finished the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run with heart.
“I’m speechless. There are no words to describe our gratitude for Special Olympics. This organization means so much to Isaiah and our close-knit family,” said Norma Wong, his mother. “Isaiah has autism. This is his second year with Special Olympics, which has helped him grow socially, boost his self-confidence and fulfill his passion for competition. It’s also something that brings us even closer to together as a family.
Please enjoy the following photos taken by fantastic SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar. To view the entire album, click here.
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.
How did you get involved with Special Olympics?
What got me involved in Special Olympics was I had meet a wonderful little lady that is severely mentally challenged years ago. (See above photo.) This little lady I love with all my heart as if she was my birth daughter. She touched my heart and soul with her smile, her mother and her changed my life and made me in to the caring and giving man I am today. I learned from this little lady I had a gift. That gift is I’m able to read people’s eyes that are severely mentally challenged and know what they are trying to say or what they want because they are not able to talk with their voices. I’m able to bring a lot of happiness to there life’s cause I understand them when so many people do not. In December 2004, I was introduced to Special Olympics in Honolulu by my best friend and her daughter, who is severely mentally challenged, at an event called the Jingle Bell Walk. From that event, I have branched out over the years to reach as many athletes with disabilities and those without that I can so no one is ever left out.
What is MSC?
The Web site MSC, Making Smiles Count, was my way of honoring the one I think of as my daughter. Anytime I see her, she melts my heart with her smile. MSC came about from her initials, but out of respect I would not use her name. So I came up with the name Making Smiles Count. The photos started out as a way to show the happiness I was bringing to so many athletes. As a gift from me to the athletes and their parents, they could go to the Web site, www.myspace.com/mscmary, and print out their photos. But over the years, I noticed the need to educate people of the different levels of athletes. Most volunteers in Special Olympics do not understand the severely mentally challenged at all and they treat the athlete as if they were a new born baby. I show people the right way to treat and help the severely challenged athletes all the time.
My goal with this Web site is the following “Where no one is left out.” I have been going around the country getting involved in different states of Special Olympics. My focus right now is on a program called MATP ( Motor Activity training program). I have noticed a large amount of states dropping this program. This is the only program in Special Olympics for the lowest level of athlete. In the next couple of months, I will be making contact with Special Olympics North America which is based in North Carolina with hopes I can prove to them that this program needs to stay threw out all of Special Olympics. The one I call my daughter is not signed up in Special Olympics anymore because her mother told me there is nothing for her level. This saddens me a great deal that she and many others are being left out.
I have always hoped one day out of the year all of Special Olympics organization throughout the United States would unite with one another as one. This would allow one state doing very well with donations to help another one that is not. Will this day ever come?
Describe your interaction and experience with Special Olympics West Hawaii.
I came about Special Olympics West Hawaii during the kickoff barbecue at the start of February 2010. I was driving by and saw the Special Olympics West Hawaii sign at Kahaluu Beach Park. When I stopped to see what was going on, I was amazed just how happy everyone was and how good of a time everyone was having. The athletes were even hugging each other. I met David Ross, the director of Special Olympics West Hawaii, that day and from there I was welcomed with open arms with my style of training. The athletes in West Hawaii are wonderful to train and help. Many of them are very playful and love to joke around. My style of training is very different than most. The athletes loved how much fun I made their T-ball training.
Please enjoy the following photos taken by Jeremy at T-Ball and the kickoff barbecue. To view the entire album, click here.
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T-BALL& SOFTBALL
- Occurs from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Old Kona Airport ball field, located on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona.
- First practice is Feb. 16.
SWIMMING
- Occurs from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday at Kona Community Aquatics Center, located on Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona.
- First practice is Feb. 16.
POWERLIFTING
- Occurs from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at The Club, located at 75-5699 Kopiko Street in Kailua- Kona.
- First practice is Feb. 20.
TRACK & FIELD
- To be announced
