An inspiring assignment
A tradition continues as Bryant students help organize the Northern Rhode Island Special Olympic games, which will take place on May 3.
From her first experience with the Special Olympics at Bryant in 2007, this year’s director, Lauren Gainor ’10 (Cumberland, RI), was inspired to continue her involvement when she realized how much the games meant to the athletes.
“Everyone was smiling, and so excited to be here,” remembers Gainor. “I could feel a strong sense of community among the athletes and the volunteers.”
For the 29th year, Bryant will host the Northern Rhode Island Games on Sunday, May 3. A Special Olympics athlete will light the torch at the opening ceremony at 8 a.m., and the awards will be handed out at the closing ceremony at approximately 4 p.m.
More than 400 athletes will compete for the gold in events such as relay races, softball throw, long jump, and high jump. About 200 student volunteers from Bryant, including an all-student Special Olympics management team, will assist the athletes. In addition, students will staff Olympic Town, where the athletes can spend time between events. This year, the games will be dedicated to a former Olympian who died earlier this year.
Bryant earned a Spirit Award last year from the Rhode Island Special Olympics for their work with the organization.
Since rain cancelled last year’s games, Gainor is eagerly looking forward to her involvement this year. “I can’t wait to be around the athletes and the committed volunteers who are as passionate about the Special Olympics as I am.”
Reaching for the gold
Todd Degnan ’11 (Mechanicville, NY), volunteer coordinator, says the importance of giving back to the community was instilled in him throughout his childhood, In high school, he worked with a family friend in a program similar to the Special Olympics, and last year, for the first time, Degnan helped plan the Bryant program. The pure happiness of the athletes is what makes all the efforts worthwhile, he says.
“There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the smiles on the athletes’ faces and knowing that you are making a difference in their lives,” says Degnan.
With the games taking place right on the Bryant campus, it is a perfect opportunity for students to take time out from their studies to volunteer, he says. “You really get to interact with and meet some amazing people,” says Degnan.
Gainor says it isn’t easy to explain just how much the Special Olympics means to the athletes and their families. “The teams and coaches not only are a source of support during difficult times, they are also a second family,” she says.
Her involvement with the organization helps Gainor keeps things in perspective.
“These athletes who give their all in the face of adversity are the true heroes among us,” Gainor continues. “What other individuals do we know that have faced so many hardships, yet give as much love as they do? Each of these athletes is an inspiration.”
The games are free and open to the public. For more information call Chris Hopkins, director of programs at Special Olympics Rhode Island, at (401) 823- 7411. Rain will cancel the event. Please call the Bryant University Information Line at (401) 232-6002 for updates.
Special Olympics Committee
Games Director: Lauren Gainor Lauren Gainor '10 (Cumberland, RI)
Assistant Games Director: Stephanie Kirk ’10 Pompton Lakes, NJ)
Student Senate Liaison: Nick Mancuso ’12 (Madison, CT)
Director of Training and Transition: Brian Ford ’09 (Tewksbury, MA)
Volunteer Director: Todd Degnan (Mechanicville, NY)
Volunteers Chair: Sara Haslbauer ’11 (Levittown, NY)
Volunteer Chair Freshman Coordinator: Samantha Nappi '12
(Winthrop, MA)
Public Relations Director: Tiago Machado ’09 (Milford, MA)
Media Chair: Jenna Morris ’12 (Sutton, MA)
Program Chair: Vincent Dolce ’12 (Old Tappan, NJ)
Special Events Director: Melanie Farbotko ’10 (Brookline, NH)
Awards Chair: Cory Cloutier ’12 (Charlton, MA)
Opening and Closing Co-Chairs: Sarah Orr ’11 (Litchfield, CT)
Laurie Freedman ’10 (Peabody, MA)
Demonstrations/Entertainment Chair: Josh Grolman ’12
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
Family Chair: Greg Brown ’09 (South Easton, MA)
Coordinating Services Director: Meghan Aloisio ’10 (Gloucester, MA)
Coordinating Services Chair: Caraline Moholland ’12 (Danvers, MA)
Rules & Competition Director: Jonathan Joiner ’09 (Hyde Park, MA)
Rules & Competition Chair: Amy Hutchinson ’12 (Bath, ME)
Fundraising Director: Tom O’Connor ’11 (Westwood, MA)
Fundraising Chair: Nathan Major ’12 (Yarmouth, ME)
Developmental Services Director: Lauren Morgan ’10 (Milford, CT)
Registration Chair: Lindsey Weber ’11 (Dalton, MA)
“Everyone was smiling, and so excited to be here,” remembers Gainor. “I could feel a strong sense of community among the athletes and the volunteers.”
For the 29th year, Bryant will host the Northern Rhode Island Games on Sunday, May 3. A Special Olympics athlete will light the torch at the opening ceremony at 8 a.m., and the awards will be handed out at the closing ceremony at approximately 4 p.m.
More than 400 athletes will compete for the gold in events such as relay races, softball throw, long jump, and high jump. About 200 student volunteers from Bryant, including an all-student Special Olympics management team, will assist the athletes. In addition, students will staff Olympic Town, where the athletes can spend time between events. This year, the games will be dedicated to a former Olympian who died earlier this year.
Bryant earned a Spirit Award last year from the Rhode Island Special Olympics for their work with the organization.
Since rain cancelled last year’s games, Gainor is eagerly looking forward to her involvement this year. “I can’t wait to be around the athletes and the committed volunteers who are as passionate about the Special Olympics as I am.”
Reaching for the gold
Todd Degnan ’11 (Mechanicville, NY), volunteer coordinator, says the importance of giving back to the community was instilled in him throughout his childhood, In high school, he worked with a family friend in a program similar to the Special Olympics, and last year, for the first time, Degnan helped plan the Bryant program. The pure happiness of the athletes is what makes all the efforts worthwhile, he says.
“There is nothing more gratifying than seeing the smiles on the athletes’ faces and knowing that you are making a difference in their lives,” says Degnan.
With the games taking place right on the Bryant campus, it is a perfect opportunity for students to take time out from their studies to volunteer, he says. “You really get to interact with and meet some amazing people,” says Degnan.
Gainor says it isn’t easy to explain just how much the Special Olympics means to the athletes and their families. “The teams and coaches not only are a source of support during difficult times, they are also a second family,” she says.
Her involvement with the organization helps Gainor keeps things in perspective.
“These athletes who give their all in the face of adversity are the true heroes among us,” Gainor continues. “What other individuals do we know that have faced so many hardships, yet give as much love as they do? Each of these athletes is an inspiration.”
The games are free and open to the public. For more information call Chris Hopkins, director of programs at Special Olympics Rhode Island, at (401) 823- 7411. Rain will cancel the event. Please call the Bryant University Information Line at (401) 232-6002 for updates.
Special Olympics Committee
Games Director: Lauren Gainor Lauren Gainor '10 (Cumberland, RI)
Assistant Games Director: Stephanie Kirk ’10 Pompton Lakes, NJ)
Student Senate Liaison: Nick Mancuso ’12 (Madison, CT)
Director of Training and Transition: Brian Ford ’09 (Tewksbury, MA)
Volunteer Director: Todd Degnan (Mechanicville, NY)
Volunteers Chair: Sara Haslbauer ’11 (Levittown, NY)
Volunteer Chair Freshman Coordinator: Samantha Nappi '12
(Winthrop, MA)
Public Relations Director: Tiago Machado ’09 (Milford, MA)
Media Chair: Jenna Morris ’12 (Sutton, MA)
Program Chair: Vincent Dolce ’12 (Old Tappan, NJ)
Special Events Director: Melanie Farbotko ’10 (Brookline, NH)
Awards Chair: Cory Cloutier ’12 (Charlton, MA)
Opening and Closing Co-Chairs: Sarah Orr ’11 (Litchfield, CT)
Laurie Freedman ’10 (Peabody, MA)
Demonstrations/Entertainment Chair: Josh Grolman ’12
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
Family Chair: Greg Brown ’09 (South Easton, MA)
Coordinating Services Director: Meghan Aloisio ’10 (Gloucester, MA)
Coordinating Services Chair: Caraline Moholland ’12 (Danvers, MA)
Rules & Competition Director: Jonathan Joiner ’09 (Hyde Park, MA)
Rules & Competition Chair: Amy Hutchinson ’12 (Bath, ME)
Fundraising Director: Tom O’Connor ’11 (Westwood, MA)
Fundraising Chair: Nathan Major ’12 (Yarmouth, ME)
Developmental Services Director: Lauren Morgan ’10 (Milford, CT)
Registration Chair: Lindsey Weber ’11 (Dalton, MA)
