By Ryan
On a cold Sunday morning March 1st eighteen boy scouts arrived at Our Lady of Fatima at 7:15am to volunteer for the Special Olympics Winter Games being held in Worcester. The Winter Games were held for children with special needs and our job was to help with basketball tournaments. The goal of the Special Olympics is to show the participants through success and participation in sports, the athletes can gain confidence and build self esteem that can be carried to their homes and communities.
In the church parking lot we were immediately separated into two groups that would each volunteer at different sites. I was put in the group that was going to Forest Grove Middle School and the other group went to Norrback Elementary School.
Once we arrived at the school we were further separated into groups that would help out with the day’s games. Some of these volunteer positions were signing athletes in, helping run the scoreboards, handing out lunch, and awarding medals. Ryan K., Mathew B., and I were put in charge of the scoreboard for one of the two basketball courts. Throughout the several games we kept score of, most of the games were highly competitive and many games came down to the final minutes to determine a victor. At lunchtime the athlete participants were given bag lunches that were enjoyed by all. After everyone else ate we were given what was left over.
It was evident throughout the entire day that the athletes competed hard and to the best of their abilities. After the day’s games came to a close it was uplifting to see the spirits of the young athletes rise tremendously as they were awarded medals for their hard work. Overall this outing was a great success and I believe everyone had a great time helping out the athletes and felt good seeing the joy these athletes had in competing. The groups got back to the church around 3:00 after a snowy ride home.
