Organisers issue challenge to keep spirit of Games alive

IF sharing the feeling was the theme of Special Olympics, holding on to it is the challenge for the organisers now the Games are over.

Efforts to harness the goodwill and hard labour of the 30,000- plus volunteers for ongoing events at local and national level were already well underway during this week’s competitions.

Volunteering Ireland was a prominent exhibitor in the festival village, passing out leaflets and brochures urging those who gave up their time and skills for the Games, and those who were impressed by the volunteer spirit they witnessed, to continue the good work in a related field.

The organisation says while 33% of Irish adults do some voluntary work in an average week, 65% of those who do not volunteer say they would be willing to help out with an event or group if they were asked or knew how to go about getting involved.

Full details of the programmes and training courses run by the organisation and lists of affiliated groups and bodies and volunteering opportunities can be found at www.volunteeringireland.com.

The Games have also been used to promote Athletes Online, an initiative aimed at promoting email penpal correspondence between Special Olympics athletes and their non-disabled peers.

The idea grew out of the Best Buddies programme set up in the US by Anthony K Shriver, a son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, as a means of promoting mixed friendships between people with and without learning disabilities.

Now called Best Buddies International, it has 50,000 participants worldwide and also works with schools, colleges and industry to promote integrated training and employment for people with learning disabilities.

The e-Buddies penpal element began in 1999 and matches Special Olympics athletes with non-disabled friends of similar age, interests and language for email correspondence at home or across the globe.

Supporters say it not only helps break down barriers and promote understanding between groups but it also has the very practical benefit of improving keyboard and communication skills among people with learning disabilities.

Newcomers can register on www.ebuddies.org.

Special Olympics Ireland’s Family Support Network is also hoping to benefit from the rush of enthusiasm evident throughout the Games.

The programme aims to provide support to parents and families of children up to the age of 18 who have a learning disability.

More details about family supports and activities are available on the national website, specialolympics.ie.