Some 300 volunteers are still needed for the upcoming Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament in Helena scheduled for Nov. 12-14.
An estimated 1,150 athletes, from age 8 to 75, as well as coaches and volunteers are expected to travel to Helena for the event, said Jonathan Embler, vice president of sports and competition for Special Olympics Montana.
The statewide tournament moves to a different city every three years, and this will its second year in Helena.
“I worked one of the venues last year,” said Heidi O’Brien, executive director of the Helena Tourism Alliance.
“It was such a rewarding experience,” she said, that she came back the next day to volunteer again and also brought her husband. This year she’s helping get out the word.
“We’re about 40 percent there,” said Embler on Tuesday. Altogether, 500 Helena volunteers are needed for the three-day event.
“We’d like more volunteers for the opening ceremony Nov. 12,” he said, which is at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds.
Volunteers are also needed for a variety of basketball games and skill competitions Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, as well as the awards ceremonies, first aid/CPR, general activities, lunch assembly and distribution, photography and the carnival/dance. Games are scheduled at eight venues on Friday and Saturday.
Volunteers can choose whether they want to work a four-hour shift or full day.
For George Parisot, “the opening ceremony was the highlight” last year, which was his first year volunteering for Special Olympics.
He enjoyed it so much he’s back volunteering this year and coordinating volunteer recruitment in Helena.
“It’s an opportunity for Helena to volunteer for a great event,” he said of why people might want to step up.
Embler got involved with Special Olympics 25 years ago in North Carolina, where his father was a school principal, he said. “I’ve been coaching and volunteering since 1990.”
One reason to volunteer, Embler said, “is to see the joy on the athletes’ faces. It will give them a sense of enjoyment. You hear so much about what’s wrong about athletes. They’ll see athletes give every bit of themselves. They’ll see sportsmanship like they’ve never seen.”
The annual basketball tournament is just one of three statewide Special Olympics events in Montana. It also hosts summer and winter games.
And starting next year, Embler said, there will also be a bowling competition.
For more information, visit www.somt.org/volunteer or call Embler at 406-899-2313.
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