Special Olympics receives a boost

Annual fund-raiser feeds supporters

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Special Olympics program benefited Saturday from an auction and dinner.

Approximately 115 to 120 tickets were sold to the annual Special Olympics Washington Moses Lake Dinner Auction, said Events and Promotions Manager Katrine Smith. A silent auction and dinner preceded the live auction.

"The Moses Lake community was tremendously supportive in donating items," Smith said.

The event was held at the Moses Lake Convention Center this year, a new location.

"We're just trying to increase the level of the event," she said. "We're still hoping to get more people."

Members of the Moses Lake Special Olympics are from all over the Columbia Basin, including Othello, Warden, Ephrata and Soap Lake.

Recreation Supervisor for Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Susan Schweisow said 115 people are on the Moses Lake Special Olympics list. Coach Christie Obershaw said 80 participants are signed up for bowling.

Obershaw said the program teaches participants how to win and how to lose.

"You can take a child that's so withdrawn into themselves and teach them social skills," Oabershaw said.

Sports include track and field, basketball, softball, swimming, bowling and biking.

Moses Lake resident Wesley Cannon said he has been involved with Moses Lake Special Olympics for approximately 10 years, and was involved with Special Olympics for five years in Davenport, Wash.

"I participate because it's fun to do and I enjoy it, ad I can talk to my friends at the event," Cannon said. "I see more friends up in regionals and state, too."

Cannon's favorite sport is bowling.

Moses Lake resident Kirk Wells said the program gives him something to do.

"It's fun, and (I) made a lot of friends," Wells said.

He added he met his wife through the program.

Wells, like Cannon, enjoys bowling the best. His current average is 215.