RUMFORD — Volunteers are being sought to help at the Oxford County Special Olympics Winter Games on Friday at Black Mountain Ski Resort.

Volunteers need to be on the Rumford ski hill and at the registration desk upstairs in the lodge by 8:30 a.m. Jan. 17.

“We are truly desperate for volunteers for the speedskating,’ Sandra Hebert, Oxford County Special Olympics co-area manager, said  Wednesday afternoon. Help is also needed for setting up, skiing with an athlete and greeting at the end of the runs, she said.

Registration for 115 athletes and 30 coaches arriving on the mountain to compete in Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and speedskating events is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., Hebert said.

Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m.

Hebert said the athletes will be on the mountain for Alpine skiing, bi-ski, snowshoe and cross-country skiing events. Speedskating will be held at the Hosmer Field ice rink.

Hebert and Marlene Viger will handle registration. Alpine events are being handled by Neil Williamson, Ashley Rolfe and Ken Ruff. Raymond Broomhall and Walt Mosher will handle cross-country skiing events, Hebert said.

Snowshoe events are headed by Co-Director Rhonda Lausier and coaches from Emma R. Foundation. Christopher Hebert and coaches from Momentum will be doing the speedskating.

Ribbons will be presented by Rumford police Sgt. Douglas Maifeld.

The event is a precursor to the 2014 Special Olympics Maine Winter Games on Jan 26-28 at Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Carrabassett Valley.

Each team will practice at least twice more before going to the state winter games, Hebert said.

Last year’s Winter Games event at Black Mountain attracted 130 athletes from seven Oxford County Special Olympics teams and 40 volunteers.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com