The Special Olympics may never match the lavish spectacle of the regular Olympics, but they certainly come close to them in terms of their diversity. The Mercer County Special Olympics, which include a large number of Plainsboro and West Windsor residents, offers aquatics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cross country skiing, floor hockey, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volley ball.##M:[more]##
And within the community of people with special needs, the Special Olympics is one of the few organizations that provide programs for individuals who have aged out of school. While each athlete may compete in only one sport per season, they can train in more than one sport during each season.
Since the Special Olympics covers the cost of all these activities, the organization relies on fund raising, such as its second annual art auction on Friday, February 27, at 7 p.m. at Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex, 3 Princess Road in Lawrenceville.
Artworks up for auction include Wooster-Scott, Fazzino, Rockwell, and Tarkey, along with sports memorabilia, seascapes, Judaic, African-American, contemporary, and impressionism works.
Also donated to the cause: Two photographs by West Windsor’s Sandra Shapiro, which were exhibited last year at the D & R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton. The theme of the exhibition was “Our Historic Landscape” and Shapiro’s photos are of the Kingston Mill and Bridge. and of a blooming flower tree, with Tusculum — John Witherspoon’s historic home — in the background.
This event is coordinated by Marlin Fine Auctions and Creative Events of New York. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, with all proceeds benefiting Mercer County Special Olympics. For ticket information, call Joanne Monaco 609 987-0099 or E-mail director-area11@sonj.org Galleries and interior designers are welcome.
All proceeds from the Art Auction go to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Mercer County. Playing sports give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, enjoy the activities, and expand their self confidence.
“Participating in sports activities helps them remain healthy; expand their confidence and social networks; gain greater independence; and enjoy themselves,” says Nantanee Koppstein, a West Windsor resident whose daughter, Monica, competed in the World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, in 2007 and in the first USA Summer Games in Ames, Iowa, in 2006.
“Special Olympics NJ paid for all of her expenses,” says the appreciative mother. “Of course, we parents had to pay our own way to watch.”
