“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

~Special Olympics athlete oath

The journey for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities has come a long way since 1968, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics. Today, the organization is active and thriving in Northwest Indiana.

From Monday, March 10, through Sunday, March 16, Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store. Those extra funds will be donated to the organization.

Special Olympics Lake County Coordinator Teresa Parker says 100% of the proceeds from the Strack & Van Til Round Up will fund programming and all related expenses such as uniforms, equipment, transportation, fees, medals, awards and more.

According to the organization’s website, “Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County is a volunteer-led accredited local program providing opportunities for Special Olympics athletes in Lake County, Indiana, to participate in a wide variety of year-round sports, health, education and leadership programs designed to help end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.”

Their mission is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offering 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.”

Parker notes that the local chapter includes more than 300 athletes ranging in age from 8 to 76, with some athletes continuing into their 90s if physically able. There are also 120 coaches and volunteers who work closely with the athletes.

“Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County has been instrumental in helping athletes forge friendships and creates a support group for them and for their families,” says Parker. “Not only do the athletes show great sportsmanship, but they also help each other and cheer one another on. I’ve seen so many of them grow from this program.”

Sports include bowling, bocce ball, golf, powerlifting, volleyball, corn toss, walking club, basketball, track and field, softball, cycling, snowshoeing and Alpine skiing. The next plan on the group’s agenda? Parker says they’re looking to start a swimming program.

Athletes look forward to competing in Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County summer and winter games. In the summer, the group takes over Indiana State University in Terre Haute. Athletes stay in the dorms and compete in a three-day event. All participants are required to undergo a physical examination before they can compete, as well as having their hearing, teeth, feet and eyes checked, often getting fit for glasses if needed. Winter games span three days in Lawrenceburg, where athletes ski, snowshoe and tube.

The organization has its own golf team that tours the state, playing at a variety of courses. Participants in Special Olympics tournaments play three-, six- or nine-hole golf, paired with a Unified Sports® partner, and hit every other ball. Unified team play allows athletes and Unified partners to develop basic golf skills, rules and etiquette together in a team format. Athletes can also take part in a golf tour of four courses throughout Indiana in which they can qualify directly for the state tournament without needing to play in sectionals.

Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County also sponsors Athlete Leadership University. Held at Butler University in Indianapolis, athletes have the opportunity to earn degrees in Communications, Events, Governance, Health and Fitness, Sports, Technology and Visual Art.

The Athlete Leadership Council is composed of member athletes who meet and choose activities they want brought to the Lake County group.

Parker emphasizes that the partnership with Strack & Van Til has a significant effect. “We’ve been able to do so much for our athletes because of the Round Up,” she says. “I am so thankful for all that Strack & Van Til has done for Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County, and we also would like to thank all of the customers who donate.”

Many of the Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County athletes, Parker adds, are employed by Strack & Van Til Food Markets.

Strack & Van Til continues a more than 95-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and employee commitment for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Up.

“We are so grateful to our customers, as they are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to give to some of their favorite local organizations,” Strack explains.

Show your support for the special athletes at Special Olympics Indiana – Lake County by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up.

For more information on programs, to volunteer or to donate, visit soindiana-lakecounty.org. To learn more about Strack & Van Til’s community involvement, visit strackandvantil.com/company/community-involvement.