Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of those who participated in the 48th Special Olympics in Habersham County. The Games, which are traditionally held outdoors at Raider Stadium, were moved indoors this year due to the weather. Hundreds of athletes, volunteers, coaches, and fans packed into Habersham Central High School’s gymnasium on Friday, April 11, for the big event. It was a tight squeeze but it worked.
“I was a little nervous about moving indoors but overall I was happy with my decision,” says local Special Olympics coordinator Jenny McNally.
The bocce and cycling events were cut due to lack of space but all of the other events went on as planned.
McNally credits Habersham Central High School Principal Jonathan Stribling with helping to make the Games a success. “I literally called him Thursday and he said he would do whatever we needed to make it work if the weather didn’t cooperate.” It didn’t, but Stribling did. McNally says he was “AMAZING” at helping organizers pull it all together.
Volunteer spirit. Community pride.
Approximately 200 students volunteered to help with this year’s Games along with 40 adult volunteers and 10 coaches. Community sponsors also helped. They saw to it that the athletes and volunteers were fed, made financial donations, and worked the Games.
Casey Mote is in charge of running the Games. He and McNally oversee a small army of people who spend months training, planning, and preparing. All of their efforts, and even the last minute adjustments, came together on April 11 to make for one inspirational event.
“I was truly moved by the National Anthem, from the blind student who taught himself the national anthem to the amazing job our deaf students do with signing, it all makes my heart so happy. I am just grateful to get to be a part of this day for such a special group of people,” McNally says. “We are truly blessed to live in a community that supports each other.”
photographs by Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham
