Airmen catch volunteer spirit, team with Special Olympics

  • Published
  • By 2d Lt. Amy Abbott
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
More than 75 members from Barksdale Air Force Base spent their Saturday morning helping make a difference in someone else's life. On July 26 the Airmen volunteered to help athletes compete at the Special Olympics Louisiana state unified bowling competition and state swim competition. 

"Volunteering gives you a true sense of accomplishment," said Tech. Sgt. Neil Heerdink, executive assistant to the 8th Air Force command chief and co-chair volunteer coordinator for Louisiana's Special Olympics Northwest area. "These athletes are the most genuine people. They do things every day that we take for granted." 

The Airmen arrived bright and early at both the Holiday Lanes Bowling Alley in Bossier City and Louisiana State University in Shreveport to check in and help set up. The volunteers at the LSUS campus were time keepers for the swimmers. 

At the alley, the volunteers helped by either bowling as a partner or assisting the athletes. They bowled in the morning as two man teams and then the afternoon in groups. After each event, medals were given out to everyone in either first, second or third place. 

"My favorite part of the day was helping the athletes bowl and seeing the excitement in their faces when they knocked over pins," said Senior Airman Brenda Skaggs, a reservist with the 307th Red Horse Squadron currently working with the 2d Force Support Squadron. "The athletes had a great time and the volunteers had fun as well. It was a very successful event." 

Airman Skaggs bowled with her partner, Special Olympian Loren Campbell. They won second place within their group. 

"I feel interacting with the community showed them we care about our home front just like we do our mission," said Airman Skaggs. "The community gives us, the military members, full support and we should give them support too." 

As of July, more than 350 volunteers from Barksdale have participated in the Special Olympics program this year, said Sergeant Heerdink. This breaks last year's record and there are still many events to come. 

In the fall, the Special Olympics will be hosting their state golf and state unified softball competitions. The location has not yet been announced. 

"Don't even think about why you should (volunteer) just do it," said Sergeant Heerdink, who has been involved with Special Olympics for over 14 years. "It's about coming, giving 100-percent and not expecting anything in return. It's a priceless experience." 

Volunteers are also needed for frequent team building retreats. 

Members of Barksdale Air Force Base can volunteer for upcoming Special Olympic events by contacting Sergeant Heerdink at neil.heerdink@barksdale.af.mil.