The Special Olympics is coming to Manning, and Cherie Hale will be heading up the program.
"We need this for the opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports; build friendships; and be involved with their peers, as well as bringing together local people with those intellectual disabilities," said Hale. "This is also a way to help the families meet and network to find and utilize other resources and outlets."
Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics is designed for people with intellectual and other disabilities. Anyone 8 years of age and older is welcome to participate. Hale is starting the program in the fall with Unified Sports, an inclusive program that unites Special Olympic athletes and unified partners - individuals without intellectual disabilities - as teammates for training and competition.
If the program is successful, Hale hopes to add more sports, like basketball and swimming, in spring 2018.
“I would love to see a large turnout for soccer this fall and to be able to build upon that to include many more sports, and to hopefully include our adults from the Department of Disabilities in Clarendon County," said Hale.
All are welcome to help, she said.
"We need people to become Class A volunteers," Hale said.
Prospective volunteers can visit specialolympics.org, select Area 10 and print out the paperwork. Funds are needed as well, and donations may be made on the website.
"Anyone can contact me directly to volunteer or donate, and I can make sure our area gets the proper credit for equipment or out-of-town games," said Hale.
Soccer games will begin in September, and will end with a trip to Greenville in November. The deadline to sign-up is July 1.
For more information, call Hale at (843) 813-1154, or email cherihale@hotmail.com.
