Special Olympics

Brandon Twp.? They won’t get a gold medal, but 12 youth group members will be winners in the eyes of many when they volunteer to help in a Special Olympics event on Sunday.
The kids, aged 13-18, are from St. Anne Catholic Church. Every year, they choose a cause to volunteer and raise money for. Last year, the group chose the Cystic Fibrosis Bowl-a-thon. This year, it was Special Olympics, which offers a variety of sports for the intellectually disabled.
On April 17, the volunteers, including St. Anne youth minister Kim Zernec, will perform various duties, including helping participants in the ‘Super Stars? competition run an obstacle course.
‘We are blessed with abilities and would like to help those who don’t have the same blessing,? said Zernec. ‘I’m really exicted to be helping with the Special Olympics. It helps (the athletes) do things beyond what they would normally do.?
The 28th annual contest will be held from 2-5 p.m. at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. Last year, the event raised $20,000 to help Special Olympics athletes in Oakland County.
‘Without the volunteers we couldn’t make this happen,? said Carol Dean, area director for Special Olympics Oakland County. ‘The majority of people working for Special Olympics are volunteers. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible.?
For more information on how to volunteer or make a donation for Special Olympics, call (248) 543-1515.