Twelve-year-old Tania Rivera had just received a ribbon for finishing second in the softball throw at last weekend’s Hudson County Special Olympics, but you would have thought the white ribbon was actually made of gold.
Rivera’s smile flashed from ear to ear. The Jersey City youngster was trying hard to protect the ribbon from the few sprinkles that were falling from the sky. She also had another ribbon from competing in a running relay.
“I like running in the relay, because we’re working as a team,” Rivera said. “I’m having a lot of fun winning the ribbons.”
Rivera wasn’t alone. There were approximately 250 athletes of all ages who participated in the Special Olympics last Saturday in Bruins Stadium in North Hudson Braddock Park. The event allows children with different kinds of disabilities to compete.
Not every athlete was as fortunate as Rivera was to come away with a ribbon or a medal, but each and every participant there was truly a winner.
For the third straight year, Jack Leahy served as the meet director. The father of four draws a lot of inspiration from the athletes.
“It makes you thank God for the talents that you have,” Leahy said. “That’s why I keep coming back. They are truly amazing. You wonder if you could ever have the same zest for life that they do. Each and every one of these athletes is an inspiration to me. They really go at it, dig deep inside and pull out every ounce of energy to compete. It’s just a real good day for me to be here. I have a lot of fun.”
The day also brought out a host of volunteers, from the Jersey City Police and Hudson County Sheriff’s Departments.
It also brought out a group of 30 employees from Pershing Securities in Jersey City. Mary Beth Austin organized the effort from Pershing and her colleagues were all out in full force, offering encouragement and simply lending a hand, doing whatever they could.
“We want to be part of the community,” said Austin, who is part of the community services committee at Pershing. “I just thought this would be a great event for us to participate in. If we’re able to donate our time and help out these kids who need our support and help, then we should be able to do it. You see these kids out there, not giving up, willing to try, and it makes you want to try even more.”
Austin said that there were Pershing employees in attendance who got to know each other for the first time by volunteering their time for the event.
One of those was Sandra Najar, a native of Union City, who never met Austin before last Saturday.
“I think that’s good for us in team building,” Austin said. “It’s good for us and in turn, it’s good for the athletes.”
Najar said that she had a wonderful time in volunteering to help.
“I think it’s an unbelievable day,” Najar said. “Their energy is contagious and their smiles are contagious. They are all true competitors and just to see them try as hard as they do really makes you feel good.”
“Everyone’s a winner here,” Austin said.
Pershing Securities also donated four laptop computers to the Hudson County Special Olympics that were put to immediate use in terms of tabulating times, distances and scores.
The smiles were certainly everywhere. It didn’t matter if the runner was fast or not so fast, if the tossed softball traveled five feet or 50 feet. All of the participants had a special day, a day just for them, a day well deserved. “It’s a little too cold today,” said 14-year-old Anthony Luna, who won a ribbon for track. “That’s why I’m running, just to stay warm. But I’ve had a lot of fun. It’s a good day.”
Luna also won a ribbon for his participation in the long jump.
Samuel Santiago, a strapping young man of 13, ran the 400-meter run and threw the shot put, more than likely overhand, with his amazing size and strength.
“I like to have fun first and winning comes second,” Santiago said.
Perhaps that was the true message of the day, for the participants and the volunteers alike.