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Champions Together held at The Clubhouse at Baywood Greens

Special Olympics Delaware celebrates friends and supporters of mission
Special Olympics Delaware hosted Champions Together Nov. 9 at The Clubhouse at Baywood Greens. The luncheon allowed the nonprofit to connect donors with successful athletes statewide and raise money to continue putting on events and seasons at no cost to them. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
November 20, 2023

Special Olympics Delaware hosted a Nov. 9 gathering of athletes, friends and family members who help the nonprofit organization further its mission of providing training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Champions Together was held at The Clubhouse at Baywood Greens, and the complimentary lunch gave friends and supporters a chance to interact and connect. SODE says it is a leader in the field of intellectual disability and recently declared its mission to be a critical, effective catalyst for social change – beyond the sports fields. 

“Special Olympics Delaware hosts these luncheons with the idea of letting people know that the programs we run throughout the state are completely free. We serve all ages and all ability levels,” said David Halley, SODE president and CEO.

A part of the Delaware landscape for more than 50 years, SODE hopes to help give people with intellectual abilities comfortable pathways into a larger society where they may be accepted and become contributing members. SODE believes that people with intellectual disabilities have faced inactivity, intolerance and injustice for far too long. SODE offers fitness and training programs to help athletes and their support groups lead healthier lifestyles. 

Halley pointed out that people with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to be or become obese, and twice as likely to die before the age of 50 as a result of those challenges. Halley received a round of applause when he mentioned the outreach is growing, as SODE is now in every school district in Delaware. While donations are vital, SODE is also looking for coaches and volunteers to help.

“The authentic experience is one of the things Special Olympics hangs its hat on and is known for. We offer top-level facilities and competitions for all ability levels, whether you’re wheelchair based or not able to walk, to top DIAA athletes competing in high school.” Halley said, adding that SODE is blessed to have that access.

Currently, SODE is serving more than 4,000 athletes in Delaware, and Halley said as they expand, they are looking to offer more sports, with pickleball and cornhole coming, and some new events expected in 2024.

Hosting tables at the event were Cindy Beaver, Gail Jackson, Eric Reinhold, Wendy Walker, Tim Waters, Maureen White, Sherri White, Amy Zook, SODE staff members, and the school districts of Cape Henlopen, Indian River, Lake Forest, Milford and Seaford.

SODE’s next fundraising event will be the Reindeer Run & Romp 5K, held in conjunction with Newark’s Winterfest. The next event in the Cape Region will be the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge set for Sunday, Feb. 4, at Rehoboth Beach with virtual participation available. It is SODE’s most significant fundraiser. More information about volunteering, coaching, or how to donate to SODE can be found at sode.org.

Six athletes were in attendance for the luncheon. Laura Scott talked about the power of the medal while David Hill shared his story of triumph as a successful bodybuilder. Shown are (l-r) Reggie Miller (not big-name Reggie Miller, but a baller in his own right), Torie Moore, Scott, Michael Bowe, and Hill. Matthew Beck is not pictured but is one funny dude.
Special Olympics Delaware paid tribute to the late Len Leshem, who passed away Oct. 19. Leshem coached several sports for more than four decades and was on the Team Delaware staff for three World Games. Credited with helping start the Polar Bear Plunge, the SODE Hall of Famer pedaled the distance to Florida on a stationary bike to raise money for Team Delaware to attend the USA games in Orlando in his last fundraising effort.
Special Olympics Delaware’s Amy Zook, a board of directors member, welcomes guests and athletes to lunch at The Clubhouse at Baywood Greens.
The Power of the Medal is revealed by Laura Scott, who shares stories about her athletic journey with the guests. Her accomplishments in several sports have given her confidence she carries into the rest of her life.
David Halley, Special Olympics Delaware president and CEO, talks about the growth of SODE in the First State. There are programs in every single school district that cater to athletes as young as 2 and older than 50. Athletes participate for free.
Polytech High School teachers Kaci Burris, left, and Amy Blansfield talk about their lifelong involvement with the Special Olympics. Polytech’s programs began with bowling and have expanded to unified basketball with a DIAA schedule. One of their first partners became a doctor after being inspired by the bowling program.
David Hill did not speak in complete sentences until he was a teenager. When he began participating in the Special Olympics, his progress accelerated. Not only is Hill able to speak in public these days, he has also worked at Home Depot for the last 18 years stocking heavy construction materials. His mother credits his confidence to his athletic career.
David Hill is strong. World-class strong. Jalen Hurts was once recorded squatting 600 lbs. Hill can squat 640 lbs, deadlift 600 lbs, and bench 400 lbs. Imagine the Brotherly Shove with this champion behind Jason Kelce!
Rob Coupe, a Special Olympics Delaware board of directors member, explains the Power of One and how it can have a compounding effect.

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