April 23, 2024
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Bureau County Republican

Area athletes participate in Special Olympics

MTM Recognition is chosen vendor for all awards

Athletes race toward the finish line at the Special Olympics Winter Games held at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton. (BCR photo)

PRINCETON — The Special Olympics Illinois, Area 16 – Starved Rock held its annual winter games at Bureau County Fairgrounds on Jan. 7. More than 100 athletes participated in snowshoeing events, and volunteers came from multiple counties.

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformation of power and joy of the sport, every day around the world. Area 16 – Starved Rock encompasses Henry, Stark, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, LaSalle and Grundy counties.

Allison Nichols, area director, couldn’t stop saying how much she loved her job, the Special Olympic events being her favorite part. Nichols coordinates all the events, venues, sponsorships, volunteers, athletes and more for Area 16.

Nichols is always looking for volunteers for these events. Jim Arbet travels to almost every location to hand-engrave the medals (MTM Recognition is the chosen vendor of Special Olympics for all awards). Sarah Nestler helps at many events as a first-aid and “911 decision maker.”

Long-time Special Olympics volunteer, Dawn Dabler, said,“Special Olympics is my passion.” It was seen throughout the day as she helped every athlete, fellow volunteer and knew all their names!

All the athletes showed exemplary pride, sportsmanship and camaraderie. There are more than two dozen events for athletes to participate in, including snowshoeing, cross country skiing, equestrian, golf, basketball, volleyball, tennis and more.

Upcoming events include Area Basketball Individual Skills in Granville (Jan. 21) and District Basketball in Byron (Jan. 29). The major fundraiser for Area 16, the Polar Plunge fundraiser, is being held Feb. 25 at Lake Mendota – participants must raise a minimum of $100 in donations in exchange for jumping into Lake Mendota.

To learn about how you can become involved with Special Olympics Illinois, Area 16 – Starved Rock as an athlete, coach, volunteer or sponsor, contact Nichols at 815-220-8128 or anichols@soill.org. The website can be found at https://www.soill.org/area16/. For more information about Polar Plunge, visit https://sss.soill.org/polar-plunge/.