JAY — More than 150 people of all ages filed into the AMVETS Post 33 hall Saturday evening to participate in the annual Special Olympics kickoff dinner and auction.

Scattered among them were Special Olympics Maine athletes, some of whom are participating in the Winter Games on Monday and Tuesday at Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort in Carrabassett Valley.

The Jay AMVETS Special Olympics Committee uses proceeds from the fundraiser to sponsor Franklin County Special Olympians. They have worked for years to ensure the athletes have the equipment and gear they need to participate.

Besides winter games, the committee sponsors bowling days and track and field games, among other events, to benefit Special Olympians during the year.

For eight Special Olympics snowshoe athletes on Farmington’s Work First team, the supper of baked ham, scalloped potatoes, chicken pot pie, fish chowder, turkey stew, baked ziti, baked beans, coleslaw and desserts was highly anticipated.

“They love coming down to the dinner,” said team leader Mary Rankin of New Sharon. “The AMVETS are very gracious and sponsor us every year, and we appreciate them greatly.”

First-time Work First coach Martha Sheets of Industry said her snowshoe team of four women and four men will participate in time trials on Monday and races on Tuesday.

“They look forward to this all year,” Rankin said of the games. “They all do great. Everybody’s a winner.”

The Work First team has attended several of the AMVETS kickoff suppers. But for another group of Special Olympics athletes and coaches from Oxford and Franklin counties, it was a debut event.

“This is our first time for the dinner,” said Melody Hoover of Carthage, head coach for Team Opportunities. “But we came here today to give back a little bit.”

Their 12 Nordic ski and snowshoe athletes cannot participate in the Winter Games, said assistant coach Clemma Nichols of Rumford.

Every year, one or two teams aren’t allowed by Special Olympics Maine to participate in the Winter Games due to limited lodging.

This year, it’s Team Opportunities. Their team is composed of athletes who don’t have teams on which to participate. They range in age from 22 to 67.

Undaunted, Hoover said they will take their athletes to Shawnee Peak this winter, and then down to Portland to hit the malls.

But they do and have participated in the AMVETS Special Olympics bowling days and dances.

Still, volunteer and Special Olympian parent Terri Williams of Rumford said they appreciate the AMVETS, “because they go all out for the athletes.”

Her son, James Williams, 20, of Rumford has participated in the Winter Games, but doesn’t anymore because he’s susceptible to pneumonia.

Instead, she said, he enjoys competing in the running long jump during the Summer Games and AMVETS bowling days.

“Jamie’s never come home complaining,” she said.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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