By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
A small crowd gathered in the Bucyrus Kroger parking lot Thursday afternoon, many of the passersby wondering if the gathering was the reason why Washington Square was closed.
The events had no connection, but that didn’t keep people from hanging around the area for a little while longer to find out what was happening. For those waiting on the sidewalk, eyes patiently trained on the corner of Perry and Walnut streets, this yearly event is merely a prelude to the main one: the Special Olympics Ohio.
Capt. Dave Church of the Ohio State Highway Patrol led the trio of officers from the Bucyrus post’s headquarters to the parking lot, a Special Olympics torch held high. He was joined by Bucyrus police chief Dave Koepke and Bucyrus auxiliary officer Laroi Love.
Kroger employees were quick to hand out bottles of water while individuals from the Crawford County Board of Developmental Disabilities eagerly greeted the law enforcement officers.
Though Crawford County was not represented at the Special Olympics Ohio last year – they couldn’t raise enough money – three individuals will be competing in the games at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Ryan Dyer and Renee Plasencia will be competing in the 30-meter and 50-meter wheelchair slalom while Monroe Harris plans on getting a few good throws in for shot put.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity for our folks and we just want them to do the best they can,” said Jim Trainer, local coordinator for the Special Olympics. “We’re glad we’re able to swing it this year.”
The individuals competing in the Special Olympics have to raise funds in order to go down to Columbus for the events, a fact that is sometimes challenging. Trainer noted that local businesses generously donated money in order to see Crawford County compete in the games this year.
Trainer encouraged people to go down to Ohio State’s campus to see the Special Olympics Parade of Athletes, if nothing else.
“It is very amazing,” Trainer said. “They march the athletes through, they march some of the various runners, the State Patrol. They have motorcycles that go through, then they have the Masons that are very supportive of the Special Olympics. Oh my gosh, they have a whole group of them march. It’s really exciting.”
The Parade of Athletes takes place at 6:30 p.m. today at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
When Peggy Benedict happily said it was her birthday, Trooper Matt Stahl offered her a ride in his car down to Bucyrus City Hall. With a clutch of balloons and snacks in her hand, Benedict gladly hopped in the passenger seat to lead the tiny Special Olympics parade on the rest of its journey through Bucyrus.
The 48th Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games will take place June 23-25 at The Ohio State University. For more information on the Special Olympics Ohio, visit sooh.org.