WCMessenger.com: Thanks for the help

This is one of those times in life when words just don't seem to be enough to express the way that I feel, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.

Last week we held the Wise County Olympathon, and the outpouring of energy, work, donations and love for our kids was the neatest thing that I have experienced in 21 years in education.

I was aware that the businesses and organizations in the county supported the Olympathon, but it wasn't until I experienced it firsthand that I realized the measures that everyone took to ensure that the kids had the time of their lives.

I cannot tell you how much it means to be a part of a community that puts so much effort into supporting our students with special needs. In addition to the many local businesses that sent donations, there were many volunteers that helped make the day a success, including some from local businesses.

In true fashion the Bridgeport Lions Club showed up and made sure the train ran on time and the Decatur Lions Club fed the masses the world's best hotdogs. Volunteers from the Paradise High School Beta Club showed up asking what they could do and ended up working with the students and making what seemed like thousands of snow cones. Then there were the volunteers from Bridgeport High School who worked out in the sun all day and stayed after everything was over to help us load the equipment. The Decatur High School volunteers, without any prompting, saw me taking down tents and took down all of the tents in a matter of a few minutes. Chico and Alvord high school volunteers helped make sure that the students made it to all of their events and didn't miss a thing! There were also volunteers from the community who worked very hard.

One group of students in particular showed us all what the heart of the Olympathon is really all about. The Olympathon was originally set for last Tuesday, but the weather caused the postponement of all the activities.

That was also the day the fifth grade class at Chico Elementary had planned their class field trip. For many years this class has come to the Olympathon to cheer on a fellow classmate who participates in the events. They were faced with the decision to either go on the class field trip or come to the Olympathon. The choice was left completely up to the kids - and Thursday morning, when the starting whistle blew, the whole fifth grade class was there holding up signs and cheering on their classmates with all their might!

Wow! I don't know that there is much left to say except thank you to all who helped make this truly a day to remember.

Carla White
Director, Wise County Special Education Cooperative