Special Olympics New Jersey is set to host Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day at its sports complex in Lawrenceville.
EKS day is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 28 at the complex, 3 Princess Road, Lawrenceville.
The event includes unified sporting events, in in which teams include players both with and without intellectual disabilities. There will be soccer, flag football volleyball and bocce exhibition games. Visitors can participate in bocce.
In addition, an unveiling ceremony is set for 9 a.m. to officially proclaim Special Olympics New Jersey’s new address as 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way. The organization renamed its address in honor of the founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
As the founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a leader in the worldwide struggle to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities for more than three decades.
EKS Day is an annual celebration of her life and a global call for people to commit actions of inclusion, acceptance and unity for and with individuals with intellectual disabilities. EKS Day activities focus on sport, because Eunice Kennedy Shriver believed that on the playing field individuals forget about their differences, and forge bonds that recognize mutual humanity.
Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, free of charge, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
More information is online at sonj.org.
