The Hotdog Lady

by Jeff Bills

Two weeks ago my son Matthew was a competitor in the Special Olympics held at the College of New Jersey. Matt is a swimmer and he is part of a team (the Crocodiles) that meets at the Voorhees YMCA. Matt swam in two events, freestyle and the breast stroke. In the freestyle competition, he won a bronze medal. But as much as I enjoy bragging about my sons – that is not the reason for this article.

There were more than 2,000 athletes competing at the Special Olympics in sports ranging from track and field to soccer. All of the athletes were physically and/or mentally disabled to the point that they would be unable to compete with “normal” kids. Thanks to Special Olympics, kids who have the desire to play, compete, be a part of a team, and experience “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” can do so. It was inspiring to watch young people who are often ignored and marginalized in society be the center of attention and to hear people cheering… for THEM! Talk about pure joy — you could see it in the faces of these Special Olympians.

If I was inspired by the athletes, I was humbled by the thousands of volunteers it takes to put on this event. Matthew’s coaches are primarily college students giving of their time every Sunday afternoon to work with handicapped kids. At the Special Olympics event there were volunteers from the State Police, firefighters, Boy Scouts, church groups, businesspeople whose offices volunteer — the list goes on and on. When I asked one volunteer why she was giving her time to serve free hotdogs she smiled and said, “I love these kids, I wish I could do more!”

I do not know if that woman fully appreciates how significant her contribution was to me, my family, and to 2,000 very special athletes. Because of her and people just like her, my son and boys and girls like him were given an opportunity to shine.

To all of you who volunteer you time, talents and heart, both here at HOPE and beyond, I commend you. Or, in the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:13, I “hold [you] in the HIGHEST regard.

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