Special Olympics Winter Games: Volunteers Needed

Wenatchee Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services are calling on people to serve as volunteers at the Special Olympics Winter Games this upcoming weekend, February 28-March 1. With an estimated 3,000 folks flooding the Valley for the event with 1,500 of them being athletes, it is an all hands on deck weekend.

"We have ten gyms, Mission Ridge for Alpine skiing and snowboarding, Town Toyota Center for speed skating and figure skating, and then there's the opening ceremonies, making 3,000 lunches every day," said Caryl Andre, recreation supervisor. "All of that is happening at the same time, so many moving parts. If you can think about how many people it would take to make that happen."

Last year, 700 volunteers offered their time and pulled off the event that brings athletes, coaches and spectators from across the state to Wenatchee. Volunteers can come solo or as a package deal with family and friends serving as a 'team'.

"We really could use some folks to help with our basketball scorekeeping and running the clock," said Andre. "If you have some buddies or family and you want to be a team, we can assign your group to a gym and so you sit by each other, cheer the teams on, scorekeep, keep the clock running."

There are a variety of ways to give back during the event. If interested in joining in on the fun as a volunteer, visit the state's Special Olympics website.