The Junior Orange Bowl recently hosted 350 youth from South Florida and 100 volunteers in the 32nd annual Sports Ability Games. The Sports Ability Games is a three-day series of events for physically challenged youths that include sailing at Shake-A-Leg Miami, swimming at Ransom Everglades School, and track and field at Tropical Park.
The Sports Ability Games is one of over 15 athletic and academic events that make up the annual Junior Orange Bowl Festival.
The events offered at the Sports Ability Games provide opportunities for athletic competitions that complement the classroom experience for the participants. The variety of events at the games allows each participant to compete at his or her own developmental stage, while meeting and interacting with other children who may share similar physical challenges.
The events are designed to accommodate children with a wide range of physical disabilities including amputation, blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, spinal lesions, dwarfism and les autres.
“Our games are developmental in nature so participants can take on new challenges in a non-threatening environment with the appropriate encouragement and support,” said Richard Naue, chair of the event.
“It also provides our volunteer community with the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life, even for just one day.”
The athletes’ accomplishments were celebrated at an awards ceremony hosted by Melreese Country Club. Melreese also hosted a dinner and dance party after the awards ceremony that provided the athletes an opportunity to socialize and conclude the three-day event in a fun way.
Present at the event were many community and corporate partners who are proud supporters of the Junior Orange Bowl and the youth of the South Florida. The Woody Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising funds for the recovery of people with spinal cord injuries, was at the games raising awareness and handing out Woody Packs, which contain assistive devices for people with spinal cord injuries
Other event partners include Badia Spices, KIND Healthy Snacks, Coffey Burlington, Whole Foods Supermarkets, Walgreens, California Pizza Kitchen, Shortys BBQ, and University of Miami Physical Therapy Department.
For more information, call 305-662- 1210 or visit the website at www.jrorangebowl.org.
