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Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games 2016

Tom Long, Manager of the Southgate Real Estate One office, experienced his very first SOMI Summer Games June 2-4 in Mt. Pleasant. He experienced the interaction with SOMI athletes and is hooked for life.

As I reflect on my first experience with the 2016 Special Olympics Summer Games, here is what I have come home with:I was absolutely overwhelmed with the number of Athletes that compete in the Summer Games, and what the Athletes must do in order to qualify to go to the Summer Games.

  1. I had no idea that there are approximately 24,000 Athletes in Michigan.
  2. I had no idea that the Athletes compete at local and regional competitions to make it to the State Summer Games.
  3. I had no idea that there are approximately 27 different sports, maybe more, for the Athletes to compete in.
  4. I had no idea the effort required to coach and supervise the games and effort to qualify all of the Athletes to make sure the competition is as equal as possible.
  5. I had no idea to the amount of coordinating it takes to put on the Summer Games and keep everyone fed and on schedule.
  6. I had no idea how much money and volunteer hours would be required to make Summer Games even happen.
  7. I knew that I would like it, but had no idea how much I would love seeing the Athletes compete and that I would be hooked for life at helping raise money for this Amazing Organization and volunteering as much as possible on their behalf.

Clearly, my theme is I had no idea.  I sincerely can’t believe that I work for an organization that not only raises money for multiple charities and matches those contributions at 50%, but I work with an organization that believes in the charity so much that it will pay my expenses to go volunteer on their behalf.  Wow!  I hope to go to every Winter and Summer Game that REO allows me to participate in, regardless of who pays the expenses.  I can’t stop telling people about it.  It was awesome! 3 24 15 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 21 23 25