VIP Employees Proud to Earn Medals

First time Special Olympics participant, Lori Williams, can't stop smiling and talking about her experience at the 2011 Area Spring Games held April 2nd.

"It was awesome," she said. "My favorite moment was when everyone cheered me on when doing the long jump and running. When the gun went off, I kept running all around the track."

Lori was among 48 VIP Industries employees who participated in the games, which were held at Southeast Missouri State University's Student Recreation Center. Lori earned silver medals in the standing long jump and the softball throw, and she earned a bronze medal in the 100 meter run.

In total, VIP employees brought home 66 gold medals, 32 silver medals, 19 bronze medals and three fourth place ribbons.

"Our athletes were happy and proud to be there competing against other athletes from across the area," said Chris Howe, one of three coaches for the VIP employees. "Everyone was stoked for their events and ready to give it their all."

The most popular events for the VIP employees to participate in were the standing or running long jumps, softball/tennis ball throw/shotput, and various short and long distance walking and running competitions, Howe noted.

"Everyone who participated received a medal or ribbon of some kind and there were many who received a combination of gold, silver, and bronze medals," he said.

One athlete, Danny Simpson, who has participated in the games for many years, earned gold medals in the standing long jump and the 4 x 100 relay. He also earned a silver medal in the softball throw.

"My favorite part about the games is the association with all the nice people," he said.

David Masterson, another VIP employee, received the honor of reading the Special Olympics Pledge during the opening ceremonies.

Practices for the games began six weeks before the main event, with each workshop location (Cape Girardeau, Fruitland and Marble Hill) practicing one day a week after work for an hour and a half.

"Practices consisted of the employees stretching, warming up, and then practicing the events they were going to compete in," said Jo Priest, one of the athletic coaches.

After a couple of practices the athletes became comfortable with the new stretches and exercises and they were able to use them on their own, Howe noted.

"Several times when the coaches were busy teaching, we had several athletes who stood up and led the group at practices," he said.

The group then used those same stretches the morning of the event at the Recreation Center when Southeast Missouri State University mascot, Rowdy, joined the athletes.

In all, there were 22 volunteers who helped the employees both at the event and during practices. Each volunteer was assigned two to four athletes to be responsible for, making sure they got to their events on time.

One VIP staff member, Sara Hammill, said she volunteered her time because she thought it was a good way to get to know the employees better and have fun with them.

For Hammill, the most memorable moment of the day was when she gathered a group of friends together to cheer for one of the athletes she was responsible for.

"She was the last one in my little group that had an event and I know she was tired but when I had them all cheering for her specifically on the side lines she had the biggest smile on her face and tried as hard as she could and won that race," Hammill said.

It's moments like this that many of the volunteers got to witness throughout the day.

"I would like to personally thank the homemakers, parents, volunteers, and off-site day habilitation staff for making this a successful event for the athletes and VIP Industries," Howe said.

Priest began the process of participating in the games by contacting, Penny Williams, director of the Special Olympics' Southeast Area.

"It did not take very long to start the process," Priest noted, adding that she and the other two coaches attended a meeting with Williams to find out what needed to be done. "A letter was then sent out to parents and guardians."

The coaches then spoke with the employees to see who was interested in participating in the games and what events they wanted to take part in.

"We hope to continue to participate in the local spring games as long as the employees are interested and willing to participate," Priest said.

VIP Industries is one of the largest sheltered workshops in the state of Missouri. They have been in operation for over 43 years providing services to more than 2400 individuals with developmental disabilities.