The Special Olympics New York Winter Games are coming to Syracuse in a few weeks, and organizers are hoping for snow…and volunteers to help make them a success. Athletes and supporters gathered at the Oncenter Thursday to launch the recruitment effort. Special Olympics New York President Stacey Hengsterman says it’s a fulfilling experience.
“We need a couple hundred volunteers, and just think about your family, your friends, your neighborhood, there is no better opportunity than to be with these athletes, I promise you," Hengsterman said. "It’ll be the most fun you can have is volunteering and helping out with our athletes.”
More than 500 athletes and coaches from across the state are set to compete in four different sports, from alpine skiing and figure skating to snowshoeing and floorball. Emceeing the conference was long-time Syracuse-area Special Olympics athlete Kayla McKeon, who says the games helped her to become the nation’s first congressional lobbyist with Down Syndrome.
“The Special Olympics is the best and a huge part of my life," McKeon said. "It is one of the reasons I am who I am today: A successful lobbyist and sports champion.”
Onondaga County is the lead sponsor of the Winter Games, and County Executive Ryan McMahon urged the community to not only volunteer, but also watch the action to support the program and the athletes.
“We really do need to rally around the games, support the games," McMahon said. "Hopefully the snow will take care of itself—we haven’t had a lot so we can take some.”
The Special Olympics New York Winter Games run from February 23rd to the 24th, with events taking place in the Oncenter, Greek Peak Ski Resort, Thornden Park, and the Upstate Medical Arena at the Oncenter War Memorial.
