Whitman County Special Olympics to host Fun Day

COLTON - On Saturday, July 13, the Whitman County Cougars Special Olympics will be hosting a Fun Day of 'hot bocce' and cornhole at the Colton Booster Gun Club starting at 10 a.m.

There will also be indoor activities with card games and music, due to the summer heat, along with lunch served at noon.

Debbie Niehenke, Program Coordinator for the Whitman County Cougars Special Olympics, said it will be a fun-filled day that athletes and volunteers can enjoy for "bragging rights" competition with no medals or ribbons given out.

"We're trying to do a summer fun day where athletes can get together and it's not all about the stress of competing," Niehenke said. "Two years ago, post COVID, we hosted an event and the state nicknamed it 'Hot Bocce' because it was 104 degrees out that day. It's crazy fun and wonderful."

The event is a Special Olympics East Region wide event and while Special Olympic athletes are going to participate, those who are interested in getting involved are invited to join in on the fun.

"Potential athletes are welcome to come to this too," Niehenke said. "If someone wants to find out how to become an athlete or is interested in volunteering or becoming a coach, whether it's a one-time event or they want to join a team, they can come find out what Special Olympics are all about. It's not just Whitman County represented, but also the Clarkston team and Lewiston athletes as well."

People attending will need to sign a waiver on site if they are not registered to volunteer.

The nice thing about bocce, Niehenke said, is that almost anyone can participate. There are even local athletes who have gone far in the competition for the Special Olympics.

"One of the coaches from the Clarkston team has gone all the way to USA games for bocce, so it's pretty exciting and we have some pretty high caliber bocce players participating," Niehenke said. "It's not only a leisure activity, but almost anybody can play. Wheelchair athletes can play bocce without being limited to where the ball happens to roll to. It's amazing some of the things that the Special Olympics can do."

Seasons of change

Special Olympics as a whole in Washington has been changing from four annual seasons to three. The Fall season will begin July 31.

"That changes things for some teams as far as summer sports, which typically has been softball, bocce and golf, and need to be moved to other seasons" Niehenke said. "We're in a state of change."

Niehenke said bowling is the single largest sport for the Special Olympics in Washington. They have more bowlers in the state than all other athletes in all other seasons combined.

Bowling practice will begin July 31 on Wednesday evenings at Zeppoz in Pullman. This year, the subregional tournament will be held there on Sept. 21. Those who get a gold medal at subregional will move on to regional, and if an athlete wins gold there, they move on to state.

"The championship is definitely earned," Niehenke said. "It's such a big sport."

The amount of athletes for Whitman County Special Olympics has also had a big change, as the numbers have almost doubled.

Last year at this time for the spring season, Niehenke managed 42 people and this year she is at 83 with another 12 to 15 coming in.

"It's a great program," Niehenke said. "We have athletes who are 10-11 years old, and another athlete who is 66 years old. We do everything together. It's dynamic, chaotic, but it's something that parents and caregivers say, 'this works.' It's a fabulous way for anyone who has an intellectual disability – it doesn't matter what age you are – who can all come together and hang out and have fun. There's lots of exciting things going on."

Future fun

Another big event coming up will be Fire and Cop on Top at the Pullman Walmart on Aug. 30.

The Fire Department and law enforcement agencies will volunteer to have water fights (not with the fire truck hose) with the public. Special Olympics athletes will be on hand to help out.

"It's a tremendous fundraiser," Niehenke said. "I'm excited because our law enforcement can come out and show their fun side, so we're looking forward to that. We have a scissor lift and a water truck, so almost unlimited access to water."

For more information on upcoming events and possibly becoming a volunteer or an athlete, email Debbie Niehenke at whitcospecialo@gmail.com.