1,200 volunteers needed for festival on Sept. 23
July 27, 2017 – Consolidated Communications has opened volunteer registration for the annual Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) to be held Saturday, Sept. 23 on the grounds of Lake Land College in Mattoon, Ill. More than 1,200 general event and Friend-For-A-Day volunteers are needed to help make the fun-filled event a success.
Now in its 34th year, SOFF is unlike traditional Special Olympics events and features non-competitive games and activities in a carnival-like atmosphere for more than 700 area Special Olympics athletes from Regions 8, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 17 in central Illinois.
SOFF begins with an opening ceremony and parade, and continues with games and activities throughout the day including: a softball throw, basketball shoot, dunk tank, ring toss, an Elvis tribute artist, face painting and many other activities.
SOFF volunteers will help serve lunch, work in game areas, award prizes and assist with registration and other activities. One of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities at SOFF is serving as a Friend-For-A-Day, where a volunteer is paired one-on-one with an athlete to escort them through the various activities and events.
Angelo Rosa, 2017 SOFF chairperson, said volunteers are needed in all areas, but the greatest need is for more than 700 Friend-For-A-Day volunteers. “SOFF is a unique volunteer opportunity as Friend-For-A-Day volunteers are paired up with Athletes, providing a really special one-on-one experience,” Rosa said. “The Athletes and our volunteers get to know each other and learn from each other throughout the day. Many of our past volunteers have shared stories of their memorable experiences and look forward to volunteering at SOFF year after year.”
SOFF is a non-smoking event and is not open to the public. All SOFF volunteers must be 15 years of age or older and must sign up as a volunteer prior to the event. Friend-For-A-Day volunteers must be 16 or older. Volunteer registration is available online at consolidated.com/SOFFVolunteer where you can learn more about the opportunities to help. Learn more about the event on website at consolidated.com/SOFF or watch our video. Call 800.434.SOFF if you have questions.
SOFF was founded by Consolidated Communications in 1984, and is organized by its employees along with representatives from partner companies Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust.
# # #
About Consolidated Communications
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is a leading broadband and business communications provider serving consumers, businesses of all sizes, and wireless companies and carriers, across a 24-state service area. Leveraging its advanced fiber optic network spanning more than 36,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated Communications offers a wide range of communications solutions, including: data, voice, video, managed services, cloud computing and wireless backhaul. Headquartered in Mattoon, Ill., Consolidated Communications has been providing services in many of its markets for more than a century.