Special Olympics raises $7,000 in one night
Special Olympics raises $7,000 in one night
MOSES LAKE — A live pig and dinner with state Rep. Janea Holmquist generated the highest bids at the Moses Lake Special Olympics fund-raiser Saturday.
They both were sold for $250 each. The group raised $7,000, about twice as much as last year, during the annual fund-raiser. The biggest donation was $3,500 from the Donna J. and Charles T. Cole Charitable Foundation.
"I'm thrilled," said Sue Hodges, fundraising chairman and coach. "I'm grateful."
Many Special Olympics participants came to the auction and spaghetti feed, and some even bid on items in the silent auction.
Karen Baker, 47, of Moses Lake, has been a member of the Special Olympics since 1975.
"I like it every year for Special Olympics," Baker said. Her favorite activities are bowling and T-ball. She said the group gives her something to do, and she meets people through the organization.
Rosemary Wells, 30, of Moses Lake, met her future husband through the organization four years ago when he joined. Her goal in joining the group was to have fun, make friends and improve her bowling.
Her sister, 31-year-old Alice Ness, is also in the program.
"I like it because it gives me something to do and I like the sports and I like being out just generally with people," Ness said. "I'm a very people person."
Hodges said the group improves the self esteem of those involved. It also shows them they can achieve success in life outside sports.
"Never say never," Hodges said. "If you can do this, who knows what you can achieve?"
Hodges remembers the transformation that occurred for one member in particular after she joined the group and became involved with T-ball.
"She was afraid to look at the ball, let alone anything, and a couple years later, she's a pitcher," Hodges said.
No matter what the individual's skill level or ability, the organization can find a way for them to participate. At the annual two-day state Special Olympics tournament in Fort Lewis, activities range from a 10-meter assisted walk to a 10,000 meter run.
The donations help pay for travel and lodging for that event and also the cost of other sports. Bowling costs $5,000 to put on because of the cost of training, while the other sports including baseball, T-ball, soccer, track and field and basketball, cost about $1,000 each to put on. Each sport has its own uniforms and equipment. Last soccer season, the group ran out of soccer uniforms and needed to purchase more of them.
It is the only program in the county, so around 85 members come from Ephrata, Quincy, Moses Lake and even Othello.
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