Consolidated Communications’ SOFF brings together community, Special Olympian Athletes
Christmas-themed festival draws 600 Athletes, 1,400 volunteers
MATTOON – Almost 600 Special Olympian Athletes from East Central Illinois were treated to a day of fun and games on Saturday, Sept. 17, as Consolidated Communications hosted its 28th annual Special Olympics Family Festival in Mattoon. Some 1,400 volunteers turned out to help make the day a success.
At the beginning of the day, Special Olympian Athletes were paired with a “Friend-For-A-Day,” a volunteer who escorted their athlete through the “tent city” housing games and activities on the grounds of Lake Land College. The day was highlighted by a performance by Elvis tribute artist, Elvis Himselvis. In addition to the many non-competitive games and activities, the Athletes and their Friends-For-A-Day also enjoyed a parade, dancing, hay rides, face painting, Karaoke and many other activities.
Colorful cartoon characters highlighted the parade and posed for pictures with Athletes throughout the day.
Santa Claus served as the Special Guest and helped open the event by reciting the Special Olympics Oath with the Athletes and later met participants and signed autographs.
Each Athlete left the event with a SOFF 2011 medal, along with some special memories. “A day at the Special Olympics Family Festival really creates memories that last a lifetime for the Athletes as well as our hundreds of volunteers. This truly is a great day, and one that we are so proud to be able to organize,” said Amy Moran, 2011 SOFF chairperson. “As our 28th annual event comes to a close, we need to thank the many businesses that contribute and the hundreds of volunteers who give their time to this great festival.”
SOFF began in 1984 as an effort by Consolidated Communications to develop a special community program. While many volunteers are employees of Consolidated Communications, hundreds of volunteers from Eastern Illinois University, Lake Land College, area high schools, civic organizations, businesses and individual members of the surrounding communities support the event each year and their help is greatly appreciated.
