University Park

Online registration available for Special Olympics volunteers

Penn State volunteers essential to the summer games

University Park, Pa. -- The Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Summer Games, held each year at Penn State, bring together more than 2,000 athletes and 700 coaches from across the state -- and thousands of local and campus volunteers. This year's games are scheduled for June 7-9 and will feature three days of intense competition in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis at University Park venues and locations throughout the region. Volunteers are needed from June 4-10 to help with everything from venue set-up to making beds.

Craig Weidemann, Penn State vice president for Outreach and a member of the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Board, said, "The Games offer Penn State students, faculty, staff and their families an opportunity to make a difference and to be inspired by the sportsmanship and dedication of the athletes. Their enjoyment of the event is communicated to the volunteers through smiles, hugs and high-fives. Win or lose, the athletes are an enduring inspiration."

Volunteers also are needed to serve as officials, athlete escorts, award presenters and in various other ways. Spectators are welcome to visit any of the competition venues and cheer on the athletes. Volunteers manage booths at the Olympic Village, shadow athletes or athlete evaluators, monitor bowling lanes and help with literally dozens of possible tasks. Volunteers are welcome whether they can commit to a few hours or can serve on teams that continue through the days of the Summer Games events.

Volunteer registration is available at http://www.sopasummergames.org/ online. Registration forms are available at the Nittany Lion Inn, The Penn Stater Hotel Conference Center, Outreach Building and Keller Building.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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