Fountain Valley has a long tradition of supporting the Southern California Special Olympics.
Back in 2015, you might remember, nearly 7,000 athletes from more than 170 countries converged on Los Angeles for the world’s largest event for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
As an official Host Town, Fountain Valley welcomed a contingent of athletes and coaches from The Netherlands. Fountain Valley resident Ed Arnold, a founding member of the California Special Olympics and Western Region Special Olympics, served as honorary chairman of the city’s Host Town committee.
In a couple of weeks, more than 800 Special Olympics Athletes will come to Fountain Valley to compete in the 2019 Fall Games. This is an opportunity to cheer on athletes competing in golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.
The Fall Games are set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 and Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Fountain Valley Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St. Opening ceremonies and a parade of athletes are planned for 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Sports Park.
Volunteering has been a huge part of my life during the past 20 years, as a member of both the Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach Kiwanis Clubs, the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Fountain Valley Summerfest Committee and the Fountain Valley Historical Society.
My wife, Lynn, and I were also members of the Fountain Valley Special Olympics Host Town Committee back in 2015.
If you haven’t had a chance to step up and help others, here’s a big opportunity.
About 1,000 volunteers are needed to make Fall Games a success. If you’re interested, here a few things you should know:
- The minimum age to volunteer at Fall Games is 14.
- Each person is required to have his or her own email address to register.
- All volunteer shifts are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Registration closes at 5 p.m. Nov. 8.
Can’t volunteer? Come out and cheer on the athletes from the stands and see some great individual and team efforts.
By the way, the Fall Games also will feature a family festival with music, games, arts and crafts and community booths. Also, children ages 2 to 7, with or without intellectual disabilities, are invited to participate in the Young Athletes Festival, where they’ll walk, run, balance, throw and more.
Admission to the Fall Games is free and the public is invited.
For more information, email Lisa Carpenter at lcarpenter@sosc.org.