Special Needs Living Akron/Canton- August 2022

from Special Needs Living Akron/Canton- August 2022

by The Special Needs Living Magazine

Special Needs Living Akron/Canton- August 2022

community events

NORTH CANTON JAYCEES + SPECIAL OLYMPICS The Partnership Standing the Test of Time

By Melissa Klatt

Melissa Klatt

Beginning their partnership in the ‘70s, the North Canton Jaycees started working with the Special Olympics to put on a wonderful event for special needs athletes each year! Since their work together began, their organizations’ similar missions and values have made them the partnership that stands the test of time. Fast forward to 2022, the North Canton Jaycees and Special Olympics Ohio celebrated on May 28 as they were finally able to hold their invitational event after a two-year break!

Joining Forces to Empower Individuals The North Canton Jaycees and Special Olympics Ohio are both organizations made to empower individuals. With their values and missions in tune, they’re able to put together a wonderful event each year for the special needs community.

Working tirelessly behind the scenes, the North Canton Jaycees pull everything together to ensure the event runs flawlessly. They take the initiative to reach out to the community, gathering donations for everything needed for the event, from the location, food, and even the medals given to participants!

North Canton Jaycees and Special Olympics Ohio Reunite for Invitational On May 28, 2022, the North Canton Jaycees and Special Olympics Ohio reunited for the first time in two years at the invitational. Though there were restrictions on the number of participants, athletes from Stark County, Stark Public, Carroll County, and Tuscarawas County joined the festivities to do what they love!

• The following competitions took place for athletes:

• Long Lump

• Shot Put

• Mini Javelin

• Bocce

• 25M, 50M, and 100M walk/runs

• 200M run

• And the 4x100M

Athletes were staggered, so while male athletes were competing on the track, female athletes were competing in field events, and vice versa.

Impacting Everyone at the Special Olympics Invitational Though the Special Olympics Invitational is a wonderful event empowering all participating athletes, it’s also so heartwarming to hear the stories some of the Jaycees share about the event’s impact on themselves:

“At my first Special Olympics event, an athlete crossed the finish line and gave me a big hug. When I told her that she did great, she jumped up and down cheering, ‘I did good! Six months later, I was at a Special Olympics bowling event and heard the same girl yell across the bowling alley, ‘David, I did great, I did great!’ She remembered my name from my rain-soaked name tag. Never have I had such an impact as to be so remembered like that. My heart melted, and the Special Olympics had me hook line, and sinker.” Dave Pleasant, North Canton Jaycee Life Member

“Prior to committing myself to the Jaycee organization, I was volunteering to assist with the Special Olympics since 2014. It’s the event that made me want to be a Jaycee. I find it to be one of the most uplifting days of the year. The solidarity that you witness amongst the athletes is one of the most genuine experiences. These athletes work so hard, and getting to be a part of that and even just getting to cheer them on is so gratifying.” Angela Alonso, 2022 North Canton Jaycees President