Greater Kansas City H.O.G. Assists Special Olympics

My next job was to get the volunteers to the event. We traditionally go on about an hour’s ride prior to arriving at the event location. We gathered at Hill Park in Independence, Missouri, on Saturday, April 22. After general announcements, a briefing on our route, and a few safety reminders about group riding, we were off. Our route took us south on Lee’s Summit Road to Lee’s Summit, the host community. We took a scenic tour of Fleming Park, riding the delightful tree-lined roads that wind their way around the perimeter of Lake Jacomo. Negotiating all of those curves and hills was a great way to sharpen up those riding skills on an early-season ride.

When our group of about thirty members and guests arrived at Lee’s Summit North High School just before noon, I was pleased to see that, thanks to Wayne Thompson, there was a parking area roped off for the motorcycles. Wayne greeted us with the news that the running events were a bit ahead of schedule, and we would be needed at the track immediately. After quickly applying sun block and shooting a group photo, we headed for the track.

Volunteer coordinators briefed the group on the various duties we would be performing. People were needed to get the athletes lined up for their heat races, start the heats, walk the heat sheets from the staging area to the finish line, time all of the competitors, make sure each athlete’s time and placement were recorded, take the completed heat sheet and escort the athletes to the awards stand, and stand along the track to provide cheers of encouragement to these very special competitors. It is always a moving experience for me to see how determined the special athletes are to do the very best they can in spite of their disabilities. In order to compete, individuals must have a diagnosis of mental retardation or closely related developmental disabilities. After the final heat on the track, we turned in our stop watches and headed out to the parking lot to fire up the Harleys. Some headed home to get relief from the afternoon heat. Others headed out to other events. Many of us made the traditional ice cream stop before going our separate ways. We all shared that good feeling that comes from the knowledge that we did our part to assist a very worthy cause.

Special Olympics depends on donations. Anyone wishing to contribute can make out a check to SOMO and send it to SOMO-KC Metro Area, One Lee Drive, Merriam, KS 66202. For more information concerning Special Olympics please contact Area Director Jeremie Ballinger at 913-789-0332.

Story and photos by Stripe