Special Olympics was created nationally in 1968 by the Joseph F. Kennedy Jr Foundation.  Special Olympics Arkansas is a non-profit organization, providing approximately 14,000 individuals with mental or physical challenges the opportunity to excel.  There are 18 area coordinators throughout Arkansas who support all the local coordinators and the activities in their area.

Pictured (l-r) from Sacred Heart of Jesus: Roger and Mary Ann Witcraft, Mike Frantz, Joanne Podraza, Ellie Barker, John Bodensteiner, Lillian Starsiak, and Dub and Geri Green. Mike and Ruth Kerwin were not available for the picture.

In1970, Arkansas held its first Summer Games with 283 athletes competing in various track and field events.  It has grown to a total of 2,000 athletes competing not only in athletics but aquatics, softball, volleyball, unified football, power lifting, bocce, cycling, softball, equestrian, soccer, floor hockey, bowling, basketball, ice skating, and gymnastics.  Certification classes are offered each year throughout the state in all official sports to ensure that the athletes receive the best training possible. 

The Summer Games are held annually in late May on the Harding University campus in Searcy.  The Arkansas Knights of Columbus sponsor the Olympic Village where the athletes can come and relax between their scheduled events.  A variety of games and activities is offered by the knights, their spouses, and friends.

The local Knights of Columbus Council and Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioners under the leadership of Lee Borne have been strong supporters of this program for over 20 years, as they provide the majority of the volunteers for the Olympic Village.

While shooting basketballs and tossing bean bags and rings at targets are always popular, one of the other favorite activities in addition to finger nail and face painting is the beading area.  Throughout the year Geri Green paints thousands of wooden beads salvaged from old bead seat cushions.  The Olympians string their favorite colored beads onto small wires cut to length by Geri’s husband, Dub, for either bracelets or necklaces, and they wear their finished product with great pride.