Man, there is nothing like it. When you're sitting in the bleachers, hearing them call the names and watching one of your guys go screaming across the floor for the medal. It doesn't matter whether it's gold or silver or bronze. Participation in the Special Olympics for Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Bath County, and Lexington had all but faded until Sharon and one of Ted's co-workers, J. D. Jones, revived interest and worked to pull things together for these unique individuals at the Life Skills Center. In the past two years, Ted has watched the community respond.
People are generous around here.
We have to use area facilities to practice and local places like the YMCA and Dabney have really been wonderful to work with us. He hesitated to list the groups that have donated funds, fearing he may miss someone, but several service organizations as well as local retailers have helped provide the necessities as the group travels to different regional and state competitions. Funding is definitely the hotspot that fires Ted's response. All cost in competition has to be raised through donation, and lack of funding often prohibits participation. Special Olympics-Virginia receives no federal or state funding.