Special Olympics

All of us need to feel special. Developmentally Disabled individuals in particular face constant experiences of failure and frustration. Sports provide an ideal setting for developing confidence and self-esteem. The athletes train, develop skills, compete and, as they succeed, start building a positive self-image. Special Olympics involves the entire community. This involvement gives the Special Olympics participant and his family a new sense of belonging. That is what is so special about the Special Olympics. Special Olympics is a year-round program in 96% of America's counties in every state. A number of countries outside of the United States have a Special Olympics program and it is ever-growing in number. This success has been made possible by the love and dedication of hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Without the help of volunteers millions of special people will continue to stand on the sideline. The Oakland Firefighters recognized that the need for volunteers was great and in 1976 made a commitment to the special people of the East Bay Special Olympics. Herb Soares, Jeff Hillstrom and Mike Triplett paved the way for what soon became their commitment to making the annual Alameda County aquatics competition something to marvel at. The Oakland Firefighters would donate time, money and equipment into the October competition. As time has passed the Oakland Firefighters have continued their commitment to volunteer. Jeff Hillstrom continues to be one of the key people who has been there from the start and who has brought on board other firefighters to assume leadership roles such as John Romer and Mark Myers to name a few. Different stations and shifts put in time to make sure that the October County Aquatics Meet and the May State Games Aquatics Qualifier in Oakland continue to serve the Special Olympics athletes. At the 2001 October Aquatics Meet at Live Oak Pool in Oakland the Mike Triplett Spirit Award was established to annually honor two Special Olympics athletes that transcend their special needs and contribute to their community in unique ways, like the Oakland Firefighters do every day!