East Valley Rotary clubs, Rotarians and friends of Rotarians raised almost $10,000 to sponsor an annual conference and to raise money for Special Olympics.

The conference, held at the San Marcos Hotel in Chandler on Aug. 8, included about 150 law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes from across the state for the one-day annual conference, according to a news release.

Participating members were provided updates on Special Olympics programs, shared fundraising ideas, and were encouraged to continue efforts supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The keynote speaker was Anthony Robles, a Mesa native and current coach at Hamilton High School. Robles is a three-time wrestling All-American and 2011 NCAA Division 1 National Champion. He is an inductee of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and Arizona State University Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame.

Robles told of the obstacles he’s faced in achieving wrestling successes despite being born with only one leg, as documented in the recently released movie “Unstoppable.”

There are nearly 22,000 Special Olympics athletes in Arizona who participate in 21 different sporting events at 675 regional competitions and four state-level events.

While competition and sportsmanship are major components of Special Olympics programs, the organization also provides people with intellectual disabilities of all ages assistance of many types.

This help includes assistance meeting health needs like eye exams, hearing exams and dental work, the release states.

The Special Olympics program fosters leadership and confidence among its athletes, the release states.

Many athletes describe participation in Special Olympics Athletic events as empowering them physically and socially. Programs are inclusive of athletes regardless of their disabilities.

Nationally, law enforcement is the top fundraising element for the Special Olympics. In Arizona alone, officers raise almost $1.1 million annually through fundraising events like the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Tip-a-Cop and Fuel of Dreams.

During the Aug. 8 conference, other fundraising opportunities were shared by different communities, such as pickleball tournaments, school events and vehicle pull competitions. The conference is critical to continuing and enhancing fundraising by law enforcement in Arizona, the release states.

Sponsorship and fundraising not only allowed the conference to happen, but also allowed officers, many from remote areas, to attend at no cost to their organization. Almost half of such sponsorships came from East Valley Rotary clubs, Rotarians or friends of Rotarians.

For more information on volunteering opportunities or other ways to support Special Olympics Arizona, click here.

Interested in joining a service-oriented Rotary club in the area? Learn more by clicking here.

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