Volunteer Information

We send a lot of emails! Watch the subject line for something you are interested in - for example, if you see that we sent a golf schedule and you would like to volunteer for golf, then contact the Local Coordinator right away. Again, watch your emails and keep an eye on the website for volunteer opportunities!

Please note: In all sports, the ability for a volunteer to travel to competitions is not a necessity.

We love it when they can, and the athletes and parents are especially appreciative, but being at practices regularly is very important. It is however, important for golf partners and other unified partners to be able to attend tournaments which may require some travel.

Another please note: the first practices of a season can be hectic, but things settle down rather quickly. However, it is easy to feel over-whelmed at those first sessions! Don't fret, we all work through it.

VOLUNTEER TYPES:

Golf Partners

This program partners our athletes with their non-disabled peers for competitive sports programs. For golf, each twosome (Special Olympian and partner) plays one ball and records one score. During play, each twosome rotates shots. The partner is not there to golf for the Special Olympian, but to partner together as a team. It's a wonderful way to build awareness in the community about our athletes and to provide support for their interests.

Partners must be at least 16-years old and have a valid driver's license (we usually use golf carts). A knowledge and skill of the game is highly desirable as this is competition, but we do have many different levels of skill! The team practices on Tuesday night, 6:15 to 7:15 PM, at Ellsworth Meadows in Hudson, and about 3 Saturday mornings,10:00 to 11:00 AM at Edwin Shaw in Akron. Saturday practices are more of a clinic and while not mandatory, a lot of fun and educational! Golf begins June 16. Prior to the regional tournament, each twosome must turn in scorecards from three, nine-hole rounds of golf. These scores are used to form divisions for the regional event. Some of our more experienced golfers may substitute a round of golf for practice.

It's important to note that our Hudson chapter has generally been allowed to take only 5 or 6 twosomes to the state tournament (out of almost 30). But, if the twosome qualifies and is allotted a spot in our quota, then the partner would be expected to go to Cincinnati. Another note, there is no cost to the partner.

Also, some athletes prefer not to compete and that is perfectly ok, too.

The Hudson team has athletes of all abilities and ages, and therefore, we look for partners of all abilities and ages. (The minimum age for Special Olympics is 8 with no maximum age.) Most of all, we are grateful for partners who want to reach out in friendship to our athletes. Other volunteers are also needed for golf to help out from time to time. On August 1o, the regional qualifier, we will need "all hands on deck," to help out in so many ways from serving lunches to running water to the athletes!

Other Golf Volunteers

Other than partners, we do need people to assist the athletes by making sure they get to their practice location, helping to gather balls, getting water and other general duties the coach needs help with. If you know something about golf, you can even help the athlete improve their game! Practices are usually on Tuesday evenings.

Bocce Volunteers

Bocce is played indoors, usually at NC Soccer, one day per week. Volunteers are needed to help the athletes keep score, tell them when it is their turn and just keep them on track in general. Coaches will give you tips on how to help the athlete improve their game. Knowledge of the sport is a great plus, but all volunteers are welcome regardless of their level of knowledge.

Track Volunteers

We use volunteers at track in many different ways. Some volunteers work directly with an athlete under the guidance of a coach. Other volunteers are there to be sure athletes follow directions, line up, go to their next practice spot, keep times, and in general assist the coach with anything they need.

We are extremely grateful to those volunteers who can commit to being at practices for the entire season. Knowledge of the sport is a great plus, but all volunteers are welcome regardless of their level of knowledge! The track team usually meets at Lavelli field beginning in March and ending in June.

Bowling/Team Bowling

On a weekly basis, we need people to assist the athletes by keeping them in their lanes, making sure they know when it is their turn and other such things. There are some volunteers who will work directly with a specific athlete or group of athletes, especially one who might use a ramp to bowl. Bowling Partners, also known as unified bowling, are non-disabled partners who will sometimes be put in place in team bowling to bowl with one of the athletes as their partner and will actually compete with them in tournaments.

Knowledge of the sport is a great plus, but we all volunteers are welcome regardless of their level of knowledge.

Individual Bowling is on Sundays January thru March, Team Bowling is Sundays August thru October.

Swim Volunteers

At each practice and clinic, we need people to assist our athletes on many levels. If you are strong and able, you may be asked to work directly with an athlete or a group of athletes in the water. While knowledge of the sport is a big help, especially in helping individuals, volunteers are also needed to help the athletes in their lanes, lining up, keeping time and helping the coaches in general. Swimming is at East Woods, usually on Saturdays starting in September and ending in December.

Day Volunteers

These volunteers are needed from time to time at special events such as the golf tournament in August to provide various duties such as scorekeeping, cooking, serving food, handing out water, cleaning up,etc. It is a great way to become involved!