Jon Buzby, Senior Director, Unified Champion Schools for Special Olympics Delaware discussed the program, bringing sports to more than 4,000 participants across the state, from 2 year olds to 82 year olds and more. He described the offerings, from basketball, track and field, swimming, golf and bocci, all with high quality equipment and the best competitive fields and courts. He notes that everything is free, from balls and bats to uniforms. We talked about the athletic training, all regulation and following the rules of the sport and the opportunity to compete for medals in state, national and world games, and, through the Unified Champion program, to play with and against the non-disabled. Jon spoke of the lessons it givers both sides and the life lessons the Special Olympians take from participating in the program.
We talked about their annual events, their motorcycle Ride to the Tide, their golf tournament, Reindeer Run and Over the Edge repelling fundraiser, and the upcoming Lewes Polar Bear Plunge. You can do it as an individual or as a team, there will also be festivities and events throughout the town that day, including a Restaurant Chili Contest, a ‘Fire and Ice’ wing and ice cream festival and a 5k run. For more information go to PlungeDE.org. For more information about Special Olympics Delaware go to SODE.org.