Olivet College SAAC members volunteer at Special Olympics

OLIVET, Mich. – Four members of Olivet College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) volunteered Friday and Saturday, June 1-2, at the 41st annual Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games on the Central Michigan University (CMU) campus. Cross country/track runner Kyle Grimes, of Concord; women’s basketball player/track runner Heather Lauwers, of Ortonville; volleyball player Cassie McDonald, of Battle Creek; and wrestler Preston Treend, of Casco; worked the shot put on Friday, and the long jump on Saturday.

“It was a great opportunity to volunteer to at the Special Olympics,” said McDonald. “It was great to make connections with the athletes and witness their ability to reach success. It was an honor to see the sheer joy and excitement on their faces as they participated in the events. In the past, I volunteered at Special Olympics with my family, and I am glad I got to share this opportunity with fellow SAAC members this year.”

Treend echoed similar comments, “It was truly an amazing experience to volunteer at this year’s Special Olympics. To see the pure excitement on the faces of the participants, gives you a new perspective. The whole drive home, I smiled thinking about the happiness The Games gave the participants.”

All four have agreed it was a rewarding experience, and would like to bring a Special Olympics event to Olivet. “Our ultimate goal in SAAC is to host a smaller Special Olympics event here at Olivet for our local special needs people,” said Treend. “Being there at CMU helped get a glimpse of what it will take to put on such an event.”

The Summer Games at CMU featured more than 5,500 athletes, coaches, chaperones and volunteers.

To view photos from the event, click here.