Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier, and more joyful place - one athlete, one volunteer, and one family member at a time. SOAZ also provides inclusive health services, arts programs, advocacy and leadership programs, and more. For more information, visit https://www.aztv.com/guardian-games-2024
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00 I have a very special guest who I'm so excited to introduce you all to.
00:05 So this is Jamie Heckerman.
00:06 She is the president and CEO of the Special Olympics.
00:09 Jamie, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us.
00:12 No, we're so excited to have a beautiful day like this for our event.
00:15 It is so gorgeous.
00:16 Brad and I were just saying it's not too hot, it's sunny, but it's gorgeous out here.
00:21 So I want to talk a little bit about the Special Olympics and some history behind it because
00:25 it's such a beautiful story.
00:26 Yes, so Special Olympics was started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver back in Chicago, Illinois
00:33 over 50 years ago.
00:34 And it started in Arizona in 1975.
00:37 So we're almost at our 50th year next year.
00:39 Wow, 50 years and it's doing so much good.
00:42 You guys just bring so many people together and just raise spirits and do so much for
00:47 these athletes.
00:48 So it's really beautiful.
00:49 Tell me a little bit about your story and how you got involved.
00:51 Yeah, I started volunteering when I was in Tucson.
00:55 I got involved in a bowling league and I just found out that I really love the community
00:58 that comes together around Special Olympics.
01:01 Our athletes are amazing.
01:02 You've probably seen them out here today.
01:04 And being able to put on sports and competition and letting them shine and have that opportunity,
01:10 it really means the world to us and the community I think as well.
01:14 Definitely, that's so cool.
01:15 And this is such a special event out here today.
01:18 Tell me a little bit about the Guardian Games that we're here today and just kind of what
01:22 it means for everybody to be out here.
01:23 Yeah, it started, this is our 6th annual Guardian Games out here at Westgate.
01:28 Sanderson Ford came to us with this idea to bring the community in and our law enforcement
01:32 officers and agencies to experience our athletes.
01:36 And so as a part of the events today, all of our athletes, law enforcement and community
01:40 will be on teams together competing at different stations.
01:44 And not only that, it brings out different organizations in the community like the Cardinals,
01:48 the Suns, of course I-Hearts and some of the others.
01:52 It's really great to see them come together.
01:54 And you know what, speaking of that, I love that we have a special Olympic athlete, a
01:58 law enforcement and then several of the sponsors all together on a team.
02:01 Everyone gets to participate together.
02:03 [BLANK_AUDIO]