Jessica Wyatt was beaming with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. She had just finished the bowling event at last weekend’s Special Olympics in Crossville and she enjoyed it.
Wyatt, along with volunteer Alice Hale were just two of the almost 300 athletes and volunteers taking part in the annual event at Stone Memorial High School.
“I am very excited today,” said Wyatt. “I like every event we’ve done. I think the running was my favorite.”
“I have helped in the past and this is always such a great day,” Hale explained. “Helping with the athletes and celebrating their big day with them is the best part.”
Though he wasn’t sure the exact number, local coordinator Grant Thurman said he believed the 2024 campaign was probably the 40th such event in Cumberland County, give or take a few because of the pandemic. Thurman said he’s been helping with the annual celebration for at least 25 years.
Thurman said he was really surprised with the turnout Sunday. He has seen steady growth over the last few years.
“There were almost 100 athletes, mostly adults,” Thurman said. “That is a great number, and well in line for what we’ve been experiencing. This could be one of the largest turnouts ever.
“We had 200 volunteers, but could have used more because we always want to make sure all the huggers are matched up with the correct athletes.”
Thurman added the volunteers, who willfully give of their time, are the real foundation of Special Olympics.
“We’re very blessed to have the people with the right heart and the right mindset wanting to help us,” Thurman said. “We also try to get a lot of the youth and school-age kids involved. That way you see the impact volunteering has on our community.
“Sacrificing free time to participate in an event like Special Olympics means the world to some people. It makes the community a better place at large. We have people willing to make that sacrifice.”
Thurman said it would be nice if the Special Olympics weren’t necessary, that boys, girls, men and women were not hampered by intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“In the perfect world, there would not be a need for the Special Olympics,” Thurman said. “Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world.
“Considering some of the life events that happened to some of these people, whether they’re born with a disability or later in life something onset that causes a disability or setback, I love being able to help out and as long as there is a need for something like the Special Olympics, I will be there to help out.”
Thurman said the future looks bright for the Special Olympics. He is always looking for new ideas because he wants to do what’s best for the athletes.
“We try to keep the event around the same time every year,” Thurman said. “With this event, the athletes were the stars. The attention was on them. The smile and joy it brought to them makes it worth all the effort and work put into it. We need to keep this event going on in Cumberland County.”
He also wants everyone to know people with disabilities, and their loved ones, have an advocate waiting to help them at Arc of Cumberland County. The organization, located on Hayes Street, can be reached by calling 931-456-0206.
As Hale and Wyatt get ready for the next event, Wyatt smiles and says, “This [day] makes me feel special and important.”