Last spring and this spring I decided to volunteer for the NYC Special Olympics Basketball Clinic and Tournament. This meant that each Sunday morning from January-March I spent two hours at Coles practicing various basketball skills with the athletes. Each athlete is so unique and so incredible to work with.
The experience was great last year but coming back for a second year was such a good idea. I have become so close with the athletes and really feel like I have gotten to know them and been able to understand their strengths and weaknesses more fully. Today was the culmination and proof of it all.
This morning I arrived at Coles around 9:15 and spent the next four hours interacting with the athletes and speaking with many other volunteers. The opening ceremony began at 10am and we applauded our many athletes and went through numerous Thank You's. To my surprise, I was one of the people who was thanked! My RA had developed this to be a weekly floor event (our Explorations theme is essentially community service through sports) so she and I had our names called thanking us for encouraging our 7th Street residence hallmates to come join us. A few minutes later, another Special Olympics representative went to the center of the court and gave my RA and I our own plaques in thanks for our support of Special Olympics. I was completely shocked and surprised...but the plaque is pretty awesome!
Overall the experience was as positive as always. I love spending time with the athletes and having conversations with them! If anyone can make you feel loved, they can :)