More than 90 SJC Long Island students volunteered at the Special Olympics event hosted this month by the campus in the John A. Danzi Athletic Center.
The volunteers helped children and adults with intellectual disabilities participating in such events as bowling, javelin, target throwing, basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, spikeball and fiddle stick. Among the students were members of Students Taking an Active Role in Society (STARS), Kappa Beta Gamma and students involved in Campus Ministry.
“This event is so important for our community in countless ways,” Director of Campus Ministry Cristian Murphy ’14 said. “It gives us the opportunity to celebrate a population of individuals who do not typically get celebrated. We live in a society where we can often forget about our disabled athletes, and we as a college community are proud to be able to work closely with Special Olympics and this great mission.”
Founded in the 1960s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with disabilities, encouraging physical fitness and helping them demonstrate courage, experience joy and build sportsmanship and self-esteem. The Special Olympics conducts an annual event at St. Joseph’s.
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“The best part about an event like the Special Olympics is getting to bring a smile to the participants’ faces,” said sophomore Carly Credidio, a business administration major with a minor in speech. “When you take a moment, you realize that you’re not only changing their lives, but they are more likely changing yours.”
