Six Lakes Senior Games raises thousands for Special Olympics
The Six Lakes community has celebrated their second year of Senior Games by donating nearly $5,000 raised from last year’s events to Lee County Special Olympics.
A check for $4,476.07 was presented to Special Olympic officials and athletes this week at the community. The check was presented at a special luncheon put on by the Senior Games of Six Lakes, according to Ron Warner, chairman of the committee.
“It was a fantastic event,” he said. “It was very touching in the fact that when we presented the check there was a standing ovation and many in tears in the audience.
“As a community, how we came up with the funds for Special Olympics was for the first year, over seven days of events and this year 10 days of events. These 27 events included everything from tennis and golf, to pie baking and bridge. Within these events we had almost 400 residents involved, and entering multiple events.”
On that day when the check was presented, many special olympic athletes participated in the events, with organization officials including Dorothy Barilla, senior recreation specialist, Adapted Sports/Special Olympics Lee County Parks & Recreation, and Amanda Gutierrez in attendance.
A testimonial was received by Warner from Jennie Vogelbach, who is a volunteer from Lee County Special Olympics.
“I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you again for a job well done on Saturday hosting and coordinating the Senior Games at Six Lakes. The time, effort and energy put forth in planning this event was evident in the organization and participation.
“Partnering the seniors with the special athletes made a winning combination. I cannot say enough about the generosity and kindness shown by all the residents of the Six Lakes Community. It was truly an inspiring experience because of you and your community. I look forward to meeting with both of you in an attempt to take your idea to other adult communities in an attempt to bring about community awareness with the Lee County Special Olympics.
“On behalf of all the athletes and their parents, a sincere thank you for all you did for them.”
Warner will be speaking to other local communities in the upcoming weeks, in hopes to inspire them to set up like programs.