Walmart Donation Helps Arkansas Special Olympic Program

SPRINGDALE -- Clark Emery loves being an athlete, a role he enjoys through Arkansas Special Olympics.

"It's changed my life," said Emery, a high school student from Batesville. "I'm able to be an athlete and participate."

Emery and other Special Olympians were at The Jones Center in Springdale Friday playing field hockey in the organization's winter games. Walmart Foundation officials announced at the games a $52,300 donation to Special Olympics.

The money will be used in the organization's Healthy Athlete Program, said Camie Powell, director of marketing and corporate relations for Special Olympics. The program improves the health of Special Olympics athletes through free clinics, she said.

The donation will allow the organization to add a fifth component to the clinics, Powell said. The clinics have promoted a healthy lifestyle and checked for hearing, vision and dental needs. The donation allows the addition of checking feet for special needs.

"If they need hearing aids or glasses, our program would get that for them," Powell said. "Now, podiatrists can make sure they have the proper shoes for their sport."

Arkansas Special Olympics, which provides sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, has a $1.2 million yearly budget, said Terri Weir, chief executive officer.

"We are dependent on corporate sponsorships, grants and individual donations," Weir said. "We have activities all over the state."

The Winter Games drew teams from Huntsville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Conway, Magnolia, Gosnell and other Arkansas towns, Powell said. The organization sponsors 240 activities around the state for 14,000 athletics. Worldwide, more than 4.2 million Special Olympians come from more than 170 countries, according to the organization's website.

Emery said his favorite sports are track and field, flag football and basketball. He said he also like to train between his participation in the meets.

The organization makes a huge difference to its clients, Weir said.

"We are transforming this community through sports," Weir said.

NW News on 02/22/2014

Upcoming Events