Special Olympics kicks off tonight

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  More than 2,000 athletes from across the state will come together at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Hangar 2 to kick off the 2007 Washington Special Olympic Summer Games.

For the 17th consecutive year, McChord will host the opening ceremony, as well as Saturday night's Victory Dance and Happenings.

The athletic events such as cycling, gymnastics, power lifting, soccer, team handball and track and field will take place at Fort Lewis, while the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center will host the swimming events.

The volunteer response by Team McChord to be a part of the festivities has been overwhelming, said 62nd Airlift Wing project officer Capt. Shanti Jones, 62nd Medical Operations Squadron.

"We've had people asking to volunteer to help with the games for months," Captain Jones said.

After putting out an initial call for volunteers three weeks ago, Captain Jones said nearly 300 people have signed up to help.

"The desire to volunteer is evident by how fast we got people to sign up," she said.

Volunteers will help with setting up the hangar, directing traffic and providing roaming medical coverage for the event, Captain Jones said.

And since nearly 200 volunteers from local communities will also be working the event, Team McChord will have a great opportunity to show what the base community is all about, said wing project officer Capt. Alexander Macdonald, 62nd MDOS.

"It allows our volunteers to show a lot of folks what we have to offer here behind the gates and show off all the hard work we put into the event," Captain Macdonald said.

By hosting the games, McChord and Fort Lewis also have a great chance to give something back to the local community, he said.

Volunteers started setting up for the event on Thursday afternoon; hanging up flags and sponsor banners and laying out cones, stanchions and metal fencing around the base.

For more information on the games, visit http://www.sowa.org.