STAFF WRITER
KELLY OGIBA

On Oct. 28, the First Generation scholarship members hosted a Special Olympics Bowling event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clover Lanes. The event had over 400 participate from the Special Olympics, including volunteers from many different Rochester community organizations.

The Special Olympics is an organization for people from age 8 to adulthood, who have intellectual disabilities of some kind.

The organization is designed to enhance the overall lives of individuals struggling with certain needs and to inform the public of the importance to contribute to such causes.

The 32 First Generation volunteers helped the Olympians bowl the entire day and showed enthusiasm and energy.

“It was wonderful to see the big hearts our First Gens had when interacting with the Olympians,” Mary Duprey said, coordinator of the First Generation Program.  “Everyone went home as winners that day.”

Along with taking care of placement, facilitation and recordkeeping of the tutor sites that the First Gens participate at, Duprey also encourages students to be involved in Camp Good Days, Teddi Dance for Love and Relay for Life.

There are 120 First Generation Scholars in the program, who need to complete 30 hours of community service each semester.

The Olympians have many different needs. Some are deaf, some in wheelchairs and others are hearing impaired. The Special Olympics holds up to 60 events a year with over 500 participants at each.

Melissa Scerbo was one of the First Gens who helped lead the activity. Her duties included assigning volunteers to lanes, being in contact with Special Olympics personnel and overseeing the event.

 “I love helping them out with events like these,” Scerbo said.  “It is very rewarding and the kids love having you around.”

The Special Olympics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and encouraging individuals through sports training and competition. It supports physical fitness, respect and teamwork.  It currently serves more than 2.25 million people in more than 150 countries.

Email address:
kao00179@sjfc.edu