The first-ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America stopped in Nashville on June 7, 2015. This historic event brought together local residents and supporters in helping to carry the Flame of Hope, as the torch made the journey across America to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles on July 25th, 2015.
Taking part in unified relay, were two local students from Brightstone who had the opportunity to carry the torch as well. Benjamin “Benny” Weinberg and Jennifer Pewitt were the two students selected to take part in the event. Benny actually got to run with Josh Turner. Turner said, “I’ve always admired what the Special Olympics stands for and am honored to participate in the torch relay,” shares Turner. “These athletes are a true inspiration.”
When we asked Benny what it was like to meet Turner and run with him he said, “He was very nice and very polite.”
Brenda Hauk of Brightstone told us that Bank of America contacted them about taking part in the torch relay. Bank of America recently made Brightstone one of their grant recipients and have many employees who volunteer on a regular basis at Brightstone.
“Bank of America stands for inclusion and respect for all, which is exemplified in middle Tennessee through organizations such as Brightstone,” said John Stein, Tennessee state president, Bank of America. “Brightstone champions acceptance, development and support of adults with special needs, and we were proud to have Benjamin and Jennifer join us for the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America.”
Special Olympics of Tennessee is a year-round movement, holding more than 100 competitions annually on area, regional and state levels. Event divisions are based on age, gender and ability level to give athletes an equal chance to win. Each participant receives a medal or ribbon following their events. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. There are 33 sports including Bocce ball,which is Benny’s sport of choice.
Take a look at a video from Special Olympics of Tennessee from earlier this year.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games open on July 25, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The 2015 Games will feature competitions in aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, football (soccer) and many other summer sports involving 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world.
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