This is a list of the 2009 fundraising, sporting, and volunteer opportunities for Special Olympics West Hawaii.
To participate in any of these events, call Area Director Dave Ross at 808-345-1344 or e-mail him at sowhdave@yahoo.com.
January
31 — Kickoff barbecue: SOWH hosts a 2 p.m. barbecue at Kahaluu Beach Park, where interested athletes and volunteers can sign up for the upcoming Spring sports season or learn more about the organization. Awards will be given to participants and supporters. SOWH athletes will receive yearbooks. A local musicians will provide the entertainment. There will also be ono grinds.
February
16 — Spring sports season begins: Softball and T-Ball is from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday at the Old Kona Airport Park’s baseball field. Swimming is from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. Powerlifting is from 5:15 to 6:16 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at The Club in Kona. Track and Field will be announced soon.
TBA — Guns and Hoses Law Enforcement & Fire Regatta: This race benefits SOWH. Volunteers are needed for registration, timekeepers, set up, food service, decorating and clean up. Shifts are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kailua Pier or from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Old Kona Airport pavilion.
March
29 — Lavaman Triathlon: Volunteers are needed at the SOWH aid station and pass out drinks to triathletes. Shift is from 8 a.m. to noon at Waikoloa Beach Resort. To learn more the triathlon, visit www.lavamantriathlon.com.
April
2 & 3 — Fueling Dreams: Tesoro gas station on Queen Kaahumanu Highway across from the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Volunteers are needed to serve four-hour shifts with local police officers, who will pump gas and wash windows for tips. The public is encouraged to buy gas from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 2 and April 3. Tesoro is hosting this event, which raises money for SOWH. To learn more about the fundraiser, visit www.sowh.org.
11 — Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run: Event begins 8:30 a.m. at Old Kona Airport. Police officers and volunteers carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kailua-Kona in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of SOWH. The “Flame of Hope” will be carried from the park to Hale Halawai via Kuakini Highway, Palani Road and Alii Drive. At Hale Halawai, the torch runners will turn around and return to the park. Entry fee is $20. To participate, call Detective Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646 ext. 238, Dectective Renee Morinaka at 326-4646 ext. 301 or Sergeant Rollin Rabara at 326-4646 ext. 315.
11 — Fun Day: This free event will be held at Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Stanford W. Shutes Track, located on the Upper Campus. Participants compete in the 50m Dash, 100m Dash, 200m Dash, Softball Throw, Shot Put Throw, 100m Assisted Walk, Bocce Ball, Standing Long Jump, and Running Long Jump. To register or for more information, contact Dana Petteys at dpetteys@hpa.edu.
29 — Surf Day: Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors, Halona’s Ocean Tours and Full Life are helping people with disabilities experience surfing. This free event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kahaluu Beach Park. To register or for more information, call Deann Canuteson, Full Life president, at 322-9333.
May
16 — The Visitor Industry Charity Walk: Event starts at 7:45 a.m. for runners and 8 a.m. for walkers at Anaehoomalu Bay in Waikoloa. This 4-mile walk raises money for local charities, including SOWH. There’s a $35 entry fee. To learn more about this fundraiser, visit www.charitywalkhawaii.org.
30 — Ironman 70.3 Hawaii Triathlon: Volunteers are needed for three-hour-long shifts at the SOWH aid station, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mauna Lani Resort. They will pass out drinks to triathletes. To learn more about the triathlon, visit www.ironman703hawaii.com.
June
21 — UCC Coffee Kona Marathon: Volunteers are needed at the SOWH aid station, where they will pass out drinks to athletes from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Island Chevrolet in Kailua-Kona. Various work shifts are available. To learn more about the marathon, visit www.konamarathon.com.
July
19 — Ohana barbecue and fun day: SOWH hosts a barbecue and fun day for its athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and friends at noon at the park located below McDonald’s and the post office in Kealakekua. Participants are expected to bring a dish and get their food assignment from SOWH Volunteer Coordinator KC Strand, who can be reached at zionvideos@yahoo.com
August
1 — Big Island Games Day: SOWH athletes and their unified partners compete against other island teams in bocce and soccer for a spot at the Aukake State Games, which will be held on Aug. 16 and 17 on Oahu. The Big Island Games Day tournaments take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Kona Airport soccer fields. Volunteers are need for the award presentation, food table staff, runners, referees, etc.
16 — Project Compassion: SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and friends will jotten down orders or welcome patrons at Denny’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona. All the tips earned and 20 percent of Denny’s gross sales made from 2 to 9 p.m. goes straight to SOWH. Project Compassion is a series of monthly dinner evenings at Denny’s hosted by deserving charities and administered by the Rotary Club of Kona. For more information, call 756-6550.
September
TBA — Tree Planting: SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, friends and families help reforest a native dryland forest, by planting trees at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. This year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities regularly tries to gives back to the community. This community service project takes place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
5 — Bowling Tournament and Fundraiser for Warren Wong: See KC Strand, SOWH volunteer coordinator, for more details or send her an e-mail to zionvideos@yahoo.com.
17, 18 & 19 — Cop On Top: Local police officers sit atop of a scaffold in front of Safeway in Kailua-Kona, encouraging and calling out to nearby shoppers to donate money toward SOWH. The public can make donations from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Volunteers are needed to serve four-hour shifts, which they will ask for donations, express gratitude, man the information table and pass out balloons. To learn more about the fundraiser, visit www.specialolympicshawaii.org.
October
10 — Ironman World Championship: About 70 volunteers are needed to work five-hour shifts at the SOWH aid station, where they will pass out drinks to athletes and pick up rubbish. To learn more about the World Championship, visit www.ironman.com.
December
TBA — Holiday Classic: Special Olympics participants statewide compete in a basketball tournament and individual skills competition; singles, doubles and unified team bowling competitions; and traditional and unified doubles bocce tournaments. The Holiday Classic held at Hick Air Base and Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base marks the end of the Fall season.
TBA — Fun Night: SOWH hosts a family-friendly event filled with movies, food and games at the Kona International Marketplace.
