A Truly Special Event

A lot of talk in the industry goes on about what makes a special event. There are special event planners, special event managers, special event services companies like ours, and the list goes on and on for all things special event related. I got to thinking about it recently and the only thing that really makes one event special next to all the others is the cause that it is being held for.

Sure, birthday and graduation parties are great. We enjoy setting up weddings because of the elegance associated with them. Local fairs and festivals bring people from various communities together. In our jam packed schedule, we probably work on 2,000 "special events" of varying sizes and scope every year. To us though, probably the most special of all of those events is going on this weekend at The Ohio State University with the Special Olympics.

From the Special Olympics Ohio website --

The concept of Special Olympics began in the early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The first national meet was held at Soldier Field in Chicago in 1968 for 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada. Shortly thereafter, Ohio began a Special Olympics program under the name of the Ohio Athletic Association. Special Olympics Ohio became incorporated in 1975. Today, there are Special Olympics programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 150 different countries around the world.

Special Olympics Ohio has approximately 200 local member organizations and over 23,000 athletes who are in training and competition. These organizations originate from County Boards of MR/DD, public schools, developmental centers, parks and recreation departments, churches and parent and community groups.

We have been participating in this awesome event for as long as I can remember and I hope that O'Neil will continue to participate in it as long as possible.