Community Corner
350 Kids Join Sports Expo Sponsored by Holmdel Dept. of Special Services
A collaboration between the Holmdel School District Department of Special Services, Special Olympics and a committee of stakeholders led by Fern Litwak-Lucash, a Holmdel Educational Consultant.
The Holmdel School District joined with Special Olympics of New Jersey to host a Sports Clinic Expo. The event was held on June 3rd at Cross Farm Park in Holmdel. Colts Neck, Keansburg, Middletown, Upper Freehold and Union Beach School Districts were invited. Over 350 Special Needs and General Education students were involved in the event.
All students enjoyed Yoga, Golf and multiple soccer skill stations. Attending as trainers were coaches and soccer players from Rutgers Univ., Brookdale College and Georgian Court Univ. The Holmdel soccer and golf teams also assisted with skills, as did Holmdel’s Team Unify and Unified Buddies. Holmdel Related Services professionals were on site to assist in modifying the skills. Lunches were donated by Aleo’s, Best Market, Booster Club of Holmdel, Chartwells, Costco, Dearborn Farm, Delicious Orchards, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Monmouth Elks, Transport & Resources Inc., Matawan Italian American Assn. and numerous individuals. Transportation, for Holmdel students, was donated by Durham Bus Services, Unlimited Auto, Keyport Auto and Michael Loori Bus Co.
The driving force behind the Sports Expo was a collaborating effort between the Holmdel School District Department of Special Services, Special Olympics and a committee of stakeholders led by Fern Litwak-Lucash, a Holmdel Educational Consultant. The committee included Meryl Gill, Randy Westrol, Amy Clark, Andrea Mozo, Beth Semanchick, Geri Semenza, Susan Stanzione and Jean Thompson. They used Project Unify, a Special Olympics program designed to promote and develop understanding, acceptance and respect between young people. It motivates youth to become advocates for and together with all people, thus building a school community where all young people are agents of change. The Special Olympics Movement unlocks the joy of sports to inspire people to open their minds to accept, include and value people with intellectual and physical disabilities in all aspects of life.
