Kadena gears up for Special Olympics; volunteers needed

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena Air Base will soon play host again to this year's Special Olympics November 8 at the Risner Fitness Center. Over 1,000 athletes take part in Kadena's largest community outreach event, and volunteers are essential to ensure the success of the games. 

Service members from all branches, civilians and their families are needed to help with fundraising efforts, translation services and at a variety of events, both before and during the games. Teens are encouraged to participate although they need to bring a consent form signed by a parent and teacher. 

"I've been volunteering for Special Olympics for 10 years and I love it," said Capt. Maralyn Roedder, Kadena Special Olympics volunteer coordinator from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron. "I've always wanted to make a difference, and Special Olympics really unites the island. It's the most fun day of the year and it's amazing to see the 'machine of volunteers' in action." 

There are a number of events over the next several weeks that need both participants and volunteers to be successful: 

Oct. 4: Volunteers are needed to help pack t-shirts and other materials for the athletes from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kadena Education Center. POC: Ms. Kaori Shimabukuro (634-5696, kaori.shimabukuro.jp@kadena.af.mil) 

Oct. 17: Donations will be accepted at the "Tip a Cop" event at Chili's Restaurant from 4:30 p.m. until closing. POC: Mr. Matt Rossoni (634-1134, matt.rossoni@kadena.af.mil). 

Oct. 18: Runners are needed for the Risner Fitness Center's 5 K Fun Run. Volunteers are also needed to man registration booths, serve as road guards and distribute water to runners during the event. POC: Tech. Sgt. Misty DeRemer (634-2158, misty.deremer@kadena.af.mil) 

Oct. 21: Runners and volunteers are needed for the 24-hour "Jog-a-thon at Marek Park starting at 8 a.m. and continuing until 8 a.m. the next morning. 

There are also plenty of opportunities at the games for volunteers to be one-on-one escorts, athlete "huggers," entertainers, and to be part of the logistics and set-up crews. Translators are especially in demand. 

For more information about these and other events and background on Kadena Special Olympics, visit http://kadenaspecialolympics.com. To volunteer for the games, send an e-mail to ksookinawa@gimail.af.mil.