Special Olympics set in Girard on Saturday

Staff report

Girard

Five counties will be represented at the third annual Special Olympics Track and Field Meet at Girard’s Arrowhead Stadium, Highland Avenue, one block south of Liberty Street, on Saturday.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 9:45 a.m. with events and awards taking place throughout the day.

There will be seven teams from Columbiana, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Geauga and Trumbull counties and 250 athletes participating.

Girard City School District, the Girard-Liberty Rotary Club, and Fairhaven School, with the help of many area companies and businesses, have worked in partnership to make this event possible. More than 125 volunteers from the Girard City Schools and area community-service groups and businesses will serve.

Additional sponsorships still are needed to help make the event a success. Businesses or individuals who want to support the Special Olympics are asked to call Randy at 330-402-1173.

From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global movement, Special Olympics has been changing lives and attitudes for more than 40 years.

The first International Special Olympics Games took place in Chicago in 1968. The games began with the idea for a one-time Olympic-style athletic competition for people with special needs.

For information, contact Judy at 330-545-5431, ext. 202.