UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Summer Games, to be held on Penn State’s University Park campus June 6-8, is seeking volunteers from the local community to help make the event a success.
“It’s important to know that the games are majority volunteer-run,” said Teresa Amaturo, SOPA Central competition director. “The members of the community who join us in supporting these athletes are vital to making the games happen.”
Volunteers play a variety of important roles with the games, including logistical support like greeting athletes as they arrive on campus, assisting with their luggage and guiding them to their lodgings, as well as helping to set up and tear down equipment. Other volunteers help run the games themselves, serving as judges, score-keepers, timers, lane monitors, announcers and more.
This year’s call for volunteers is especially important, as this year is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the SOPA Summer Games. Amaturo said that the support of volunteers across Pennsylvania has been indispensable in helping SOPA reach 50 years of inspiring and empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities.
“It’s important to realize that every person deserves a place where they can compete, learn and grow,” Amaturo said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can find more information and register on the SOPA website.