Special Olympics honors Marmion volunteers
Marmion Academy is the recipient of the 2016 Special Olympics Illinois' Outstanding Organization of the Year Award.
Bill Johnson, director of parish outreach at Marmion Academy, along with several student volunteers, accepted the award on the school's behalf at a reception June 10 before the SOI Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Illinois State University.
The Outstanding Organization Award recognizes a club, business or organization whose efforts have significantly improved the Special Olympics Illinois athletes' experiences either locally or statewide.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to volunteer at Special Olympics. Over the years, numerous parents and staff members have expressed to me that when Marmion students volunteer, you know the athletes will be treated with respect and enthusiasm," Johnson said.
Marmion Academy is one of the first event host locations for SOI Far West Suburban Area 2. Marmion hosted the Area track and field meet from 1974-1976, and also hosted the first aquatics meets. For more than 15 years, Marmion has provided volunteers for the Area 2 Winter Games, bocce, Spring Games, bowling, golf, 2015 Holiday Party and a local Motor Activities Training Day. For the past two years Marmion has also hosted the July Tennis Tournament.
"Marmion always comes to the Special Olympic events with men who are focused, responsible, reliable and are willing to do whatever is asked of them. They are an outstanding group of men who routinely get comments and compliments from coaches, parents and other volunteers.
"This school year, Cadet Camps with Special Olympics was created and Marmion Academy has opened up its facilities and coaching to the athletes. In addition, the Marmion football team has worked out with local Special Olympics athletes, and the track team has also volunteered to work with the athletes," stated SOI in a release earlier this month.
"Marmion Academy is always eager to support Special Olympics and has always been an Outstanding Organization in the area," the confidential nominator of Marmion Academy stated.
Marmion Academy, a Catholic-Benedictine college preparatory school for young men, is a community dedicated to spiritual formation, academic excellence and leadership development. For more information on Marmion Academy, visit www.marmion.org.
Special Olympics Illinois is a nonprofit organization offering year-round training and completion in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 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 www.soill.org.