by Rachel Gilbert
Contributing Writer
Neither mud nor rain showers stopped more than 2,000 people from volunteering in the Texas Special Olympics 1997 Summer Games, held May 22 through 25 on the University of Houston campus.
"The weather didn't stop anything," said Program Associate Drexel Long. "It is interesting to see so many people get involved. All of this would not be happening if it wasn't for the volunteers."
Texas Special Olympics is a privately funded, nonprofit organization which provides year-round training and competition to more than 22,000 adults and children with mental retardation in Texas.
The summer games, in its 29th year, took place in Houston for the first time since 1973.
The olympics always take place at a university, because universities are usually the only places with enough dormitories to house close to 3,500 athletes, said Laura Bennett, a Special Olympics staff worker.
"We normally have the olympics at The University of Texas, but they are re-doing their track stadium," Bennett said.
"The Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau wanted the olympics to be hosted in Houston," Bennett said. "By having the olympics in Houston and various other cities, we help to make it geographically fair to everyone in Texas."
A total of 18 Special Olympics offices exist in Texas, and from these offices about 50 professional staff members came to help with the games in Houston, Bennett said.
However, volunteers are necessary for many aspects of the games.
"All the officials, coaches and sport directors are all volunteers," Bennett said. "Some people travel anywhere to take part in volunteering for the olympics."
In fact, Long said, "Some people came all the way from Dallas (to volunteer)."
Numerous corporations, such as Bank One and the Houston Bar Association, asked employees to volunteer, Long explained.
Long added that some companies decided ahead of time which event they wanted employees to volunteer for, since some events, especially track and field and basketball, are in high demand.
Susan Richardson of the Houston Bar Association said this was her first time volunteering, but she heard from a friend thatthe experience can be very uplifting.
"We get nothing extra from work," Richardson said. "I am simply volunteering."
Khalimah Shakir, a senior political science major at Texas Southern University, said this was her second time to volunteer at the event.
"Last time, I volunteered in San Antonio for Special Olympics," Shakir said. "It is worth giving up one Saturday to help out.
"The rain never hurt anyone. It will not stop me from volunteering for an event that can be so rewarding," she said.
Nufronda Stephens, a TSU senior political science and psychology major, agreed, saying, "I really think it is great what they are doing here today. This is my first time volunteering, and it's great to be able to help out."