Special Olympics back at it

BONNERS FERRY — Bonners Ferry Special Olympics has returned after a hiatus during COVID-19 pandemic and are fundraising for upcoming competitions.

On Sept. 9 and 10, the team had a bake sale fundraiser. Coach John Beck told the Herald that the team raised $225. He was thankful for the generosity from the community, especially since there was no price set for the baked goods.

Special Olympics is also raffling off tickets for a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. Each ticket is $10, with $7.50 being donated to the Bonners Ferry Special Olympics team. The remainder will benefit Special Olympics Idaho.

Beck said that 35 tickets have been sold and the raffle is ongoing. The drawing will take place Dec. 2.

Currently there are six athletes participating in the local Special Olympics team. They are practicing bocce ball and will be competing in Coeur d’Alene in the next few weeks. The team changes sports seasonally and in the fall will participate in bowling. In the winter, they will participate in snowshoeing, cross country skiing and more.

Beck hopes to coordinate with other local teams to bring local competition.

Special Olympic participants must have an intellectual disability and be 11 or older. If you have a family member that qualifies or want to purchase a raffle ticket, call John Beck at 208-610-0157.

For more information on Special Olympics Idaho visit www.specialolympics.org/programs/united-states/idaho