Rolling Meadows residents is Special Olympics Illinois' Family of the Year

The Geraci family of Rolling Meadows has received the 2017 Special Olympics Illinois' Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. They were honored at a reception on Friday, June 9, before the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Illinois State University in Normal.

The Outstanding Family Award recognizes a family with a Special Olympics athlete that has made unique and lasting contributions not only benefiting their athletes but also every aspect of the Special Olympics Illinois program.

The Geraci Family is a cornerstone in Area 18. Sal and Karen have been volunteering for the Area for more than 16 years. Parents of athlete Tory Geraci, they have fully exemplified the spirit of Special Olympics supporting their son's involvement and countless other athletes.

Sal Geraci handles of all logistics at Area 18 events, and put in countless hours waiting for deliveries and returns for the Spring Games, and was a tremendous resource to lean on when support was needed. He also actively raises funds for the Area through special events, in-kind donations and of course, the Palatine Polar Plunge. As if being at all sport competitions hosted in Area 18 each year, he has also added helping at Powerlifting at the State Summer Games. Sal is the 'guy' in the phrase, "I got a guy for that!"

Karen Geraci also serves on the Area 18 Event Management Team and was one of the driving forces developing the Area 18 Family Committee. She is at most events and can always be a source of support for families and athletes in attendance.

Tory Geraci has taken to not only compete at events, but also help out wherever he can with set up and tear down. He can always be relied on to be there with his dad.

The Geracis are exemplary in every way of what it means to be an Outstanding Special Olympics Illinois Family.

Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 young athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call (800) 394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.

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