Special Olympics to host Inspirational 5K Run⁄Walk

Friday, April 25, 2008

Participants can be part of a leisurely walk through Solomons or a more competitive 5K race, marked by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. All are welcomed and encouraged to join in the festivities and there is no charge to participate; however, those who pledge or donate at least $25 will be given an Inspiration 5K Run⁄Walk T-shirt, according to a press release. Water and snacks will be provided.

This event is the primary fundraiser for Special Olympics Calvert County, and all proceeds go toward providing athletic opportunities to intellectually challenged people in the community. The organization’s vision is to help bring Special Olympics athletes into the larger society under conditions where they are respected, accepted and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens. The values of friendship, integrity, opportunity, quality and sportsmanship are central to the organization’s objectives, the release said.

Special Olympics chapters around the world have helped more than 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.

The Calvert County chapter offers training and competitive opportunities in aquatics, bowling, floor hockey, softball, soccer, track and field and basketball. Many athletes participate in more than one sport and they, like most young athletes, find their time on the court, in the pool, at the bowling alley or on the field to be the highlight of the week.

The fifth annual Inspiration 5K Run⁄Walk for Special Olympics Calvert County is sponsored by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team.

For more information on the Inspiration Walk⁄Run, including opportunities for corporate or personal donations, or the services provided by Calvert County Special Olympics, go to www.somdcalvert.org, e-mail Anne Harmon at anne@somdcalvert.org, or call 410-535-2857.

O’Donnell honored at GOP women’s meeting

On Saturday, April 11, Patt Parker, president of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women, presented Maryland House of Delegates Minority Leader Del. Anthony O’Donnell (R-Calvert, St. Mary’s) with a plaque honoring his ‘‘dedicated service to Maryland,” according to a release.

The occasion was the federation’s spring board meeting, hosted by the Republican Women of Calvert County, the Republican Women Leaders of Calvert and the Republican Women of Southern Calvert at the Holiday Inn Select in Solomons on April 10 and 11.

At the event, with the theme ‘‘Back to Basics,” more than 100 women attended workshops ‘‘designed to train women to lead or support Republican candidates,” according to a release.

‘‘It is vitally important for our Republican members and the public to understand the values of the Republican Party,” Parker said in the release. ‘‘The difference between the Republican and Democrat Parties are very real and need to be clearly understood before voters go to the polls to vote in November.”

Event to celebrate Week of the Young Child

Southern Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children will present a celebration for the ‘‘Week of the Young Child” on Saturday, May 3, from 9a.m. to noon at Huntingtown High School.

Participants will include: the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, which will provide K-9 demonstrations, its Bike Patrol covering bicycle safety, its Special Operations Team with vehicle and gear and Traffic Safety with a car seat check, by appointment only; Maryland State Police troopers; Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department’s firehouse trailer, a fire truck and an ambulance; and Huntingtown High School’s NJROTC.

There will also be presentations by Mad Science, Jump Bunch, Jerry Low’s Black Belt Academy and ABC7⁄WJLA-TV’s Storm Chaser and Meteorologist Brian Van De Graaff.