Sheppard Airmen support Special Olympics

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 150 people from Sheppard volunteered to help with the Annual Special Olympics at Burkburnett High School May 16. 

The Special Olympics has been taking place every year for the past 37 years in Wichita Falls and 40 years in Texas. 

"For many years, the Annual Spring Games was held on Sheppard until we got rid of our 1/4 mile track. We have participated since the beginning," said Mike Strickland, the event coordinator.

With a bigger area for the event, more activities were held and more people were able to participate. 

The athletes and their buddies participated in softball throws, relay races and track events. There were more than 185 athletes from all over North Texas that were competing on more than 15 teams. 

Sheppard citizens helped with everything from setting up the activities, to being a buddy for the athletes, to preparing food and cleaning up the site. 

Although the event ended early due to bad weather, the volunteers still got to enjoy helping out. 

"I enjoyed volunteering for this because I believe that it is important to integrate with the community that we're trying to protect and serve," said Airman 1st Class Nicholas Carman, 82nd Security Forces Squadron. 

"It was a very exciting experience and the families were so happy that the military gets involved," said Master. Sgt. Eric Johnson, a volunteer coordinator from 383rd Training Squadron.