The ninth
annual Walk for Special Olympics was held in Tracy Park on Friday, Sept. 19.
The event is a kick-off for the sports season and a primary fundraiser for the
local chapter.
Participants
raised money through sponsorship donations and then took part in a walk around
the park.
“We had nearly
500 participants at this year’s event,” said Shawn Jordan, co-coordinator for
this year’s event and awareness coordinator for the Scioto County Board of
Developmental Disabilities. “This was our largest participation so far.”
Also supporting
the event were Portsmouth Ambulance, who supplied all of the food for the
event; Portsmouth West Middle School Band, who pumped up the crowd prior to the
walk and KC’s Productions, who provided music throughout the event.
“We are so very
fortunate to have such wonderful partnerships in our community,” said Julie
Monroe, superintendent for the Scioto County Board of Developmental
Disabilities. “This event is one we look forward to every year and so does our
community. It was a great time, supporting a great cause.”
Announcing the
start of the walk was Portsmouth West High School’s Kelsey Davis who raised
funds for Special Olympics through her Color Me Cheerful Color Run, held in
July. The run was part of her requirements to raise funds for a non-profit
organization.
“I am so proud
to be able to be a part of today’s activities,” said Davis. “And I’m even more
excited to be able to present a check for $1050.”
Jordan said the
Color Run will continue annually as a fundraiser in honor of Davis’
contribution.
“We had such a
great time participating in the Color Run we decided to keep it alive and have
already set a date for July 25 of next year and we plan to keep the name ‘Color
Me Cheerful’ in honor of Kelsey’s foundation of the event,” Jordan explained.
This year’s walk
raised a total of over $3,000. The money is used to support transportation
costs, uniforms, food and supplies for the players to compete across the
region.