Patriotism was in the air as thousands from the Greater Kensington Community came out to celebrate COMHAR, Inc.s fifth annual Get to Know us block party on Saturday, September 7, 2002 at the agency's Lehigh Avenue location. Timothy Kelly sang God Bless America and The Star Spangled Banner as a color guard from the U.S. Marine Corps Third Battalion marched in. The emotionally charged ceremony was the opening act to a day filled with fun, food and family. COMHAR'S event commemorated September 11 and honored the service professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis to protect and serve residents.
Timmy Kelly is no stranger to live performances. At the age of three,
Timmy's talent for singing became obvious to his parents, Timothy and Eileen
Kelly. On June 17, he sang the theme song for ABC's Good Morning America,
live on the program. Indeed his bright smile and golden voice reflect his
joy for performing, which he acknowledges in his career objective to sing
professionally and share my gift with others to make them smile. This gifted
Bustleton youth attended preschool at Overbrook School for the Blind and is
now a third grade student at Anne Frank Elementary School in Philadelphia.
News from Special Olympics Philadelphia - By Gary Discount, Executive Director
The staff of Special Olympics Philadelphia is hard at work planning competitions, and events for 2003. Our most important goal is to double the amount of special athletes in the program. We are visiting schools and agencies. If a family member with mental retardation is not involved in Special Olympics, I urge you to call us and get the necessary information. Special Olympics can change the life of an individual with mental retardation. It has for thousands and thousands of Philadelphians.
In order to accommodate more athletes, however, we must increase our volunteer base. Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas including coaches, event planners, fund-raisers, day of event volunteers, doctors and other medical professionals. Families of Special Olympics athletes are still our greatest resource. Please get involved. The athletes deserve the best we can provide for them.
Our Health Athletes Mass Medical Screening is Tuesday, November 26, at the First Union Spectrum, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. And put our Annual Awards Banquet on your schedule, too, on November 15. Tickets are $30; table of ten is $275. See the calendar in this issue for more information and sporting dates. Please get involved and contact us at 215-842-4690.
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative was awarded the American Association on Mental Retardation 2002 Special Award in May 2002 for responding to the neglected health needs of persons with mental retardation. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes clinics operate in more than 70 Special Olympics programs around the world.