Athletes from across the state competed in bowling, basketball and tennis events as they participated in Special Olympics Louisiana’s State Indoor Games from March 3 through 5.
Volunteer LSU partnered with Special Olympics Louisiana to provide student volunteers to help with the event. Lauren Nyman, a graduate assistant adviser for Volunteer LSU, said the purpose of the event was to allow students to interact with Special Olympics athletes and to learn more about the organization.
“As an educational institution, it is important that LSU students take part in working with the disabled population,” Nyman said.
Biology freshman Rachel Piper volunteered in the swimming competition held by the Special Olympics in Texas before working with Volunteer LSU. After finding this opportunity to complete her sorority’s service hour requirement, she said she wanted to volunteer with the organization again.
“I remembered how amazing I felt after leaving the swim meet,” she said. “I wanted to experience that again, but in a different way.”
This year, Piper helped set up registration and checked in athletes and teams. Although it was different from the last time she participated, she said volunteering for this event was still rewarding.
“It was really eye-opening,” she said. “All of the athletes were so excited for the games to begin. I had a warm feeling in my heart the whole day after leaving. Although I didn’t get to see the athletes actually participate in the games, I saw the joy on their faces before the games began.”
Not only did the athletes get something out of the Special Olympics, she said, the volunteers did too.
“Overall, I learned that we really should enjoy life as much as these athletes do, and be excited for new challenges that come our way,” Piper added.
She said she would recommend others volunteer with this organization because everyone walks away happy.
“I would tell someone to be ready to leave Special Olympics with a smile on your face,” Piper said. “I really enjoy volunteering with them because every time I do I am reminded of the amount of joy that these people have just living day to day.”
Piper said she would volunteer for this organization again.
“I would do it again, but next time, I wouldn’t do just registration,” Piper said. “While that is fun, I’d prefer to be at an actual game like I was when I volunteered at the Special Olympics swim meet in Texas.”
The Special Olympics started in 1968 in Chicago as a not-for-profit organization, and for the last 40 years it has strived to promote interaction between individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, according to its website. Since then, they have acquired more than 14,000 athletes and 15,000 volunteers throughout Louisiana. Nyman said there are more than 4.7 million Special Olympics athletes and 1.4 million volunteers in more than 170 countries worldwide.
According to its website, Special Olympics Louisiana’s goal is to raise $2.8 million this year through fundraising events, donations from corporate organizations and individuals, foundation grants, sponsors and civic groups.