The Father Thomas Ryan Knights of Columbus Council, at 9090 Old Bustleton Ave., last week presented a $900 check to the Philadelphia Special Olympics.
Chase Trimmer, director of the Philadelphia Special Olympics, accepted the check at the KOC’s July 11 meeting.
“Those funds are great contributions to maintain free programming,” Trimmer said. Trimmer said the funds will go toward helping athletes travel nationally and internationally to sporting events as well as for uniforms and helmets.
The organization raised the money at a coin drive at a local Acme on Father’s Day weekend. The 18 volunteers were at the store for eight to 10 hours collecting change.
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunity to compete, build friendships, learn teamwork and set and meet goals.
“Your support will help us continue doing the work we do, which goes beyond just basketball teams but goes into helping folks get an appointment they need,” Trimmer said.
Special Olympics holds training and practice all throughout the city. Locations in the Northeast include high schools like Northeast and George Washington. Programs include bocce teams and unified track and field, which has special education and general students competing on the same team.
Over 600 athletes in the city are involved through the school programs, and 400 more are involved through the community program.
Knights of Columbus has been long-standing supporters of the Special Olympics, volunteering as scorekeepers and more for unified bocce and soccer games.
“The Knights of Columbus organization has been really a great champion not only in supporting our sustainability through their own fundraising and contributions but also walking the walk and actually being out there interacting with our athletes,” Trimmer said.
