Navy Medicine Support Command Sailors support Special Olympics

''I enjoy helping out Special Olympics because it is rewarding for me to see children have fun, laugh and smile. Special Olympics offers the kids a chance to be the best they can be, have a lot of fun and not be recognized as 'different,' '' explained HM3 Michele Becher, who serves in NMSC's Centralized Credentialing and Privileging Department.

The Yulee Bowling Center was taken over by hundreds of Special Olympians who spent the entire morning bowling, laughing and eating snacks from the snack bar. The volunteers, many from the various Navy bases in the Jacksonville area, helped keep score and hand out trophies to the competitors.

Special Olympians happily show off their trophies after bowling with their new friends from Navy Medicine Support Command. From front row, from left, Kim, Billy, Latifah, Christy. Back row, from left, PS1 Kimberly Beams, HM2 Bobbie Landrum, HM3 Michele Becher, and HM2 Antoinette Wilson.

The joy and laughter of the participants was infectious and the NMSC Sailors and the civilian employee made many new friends on the special outing. At the conclusion of the games they were seen hugging and congratulating one another as the trophies were handed out to each special group of bowlers.

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive members of society through sports training and competition. The organization currently serves more than 2.25 million persons with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries.

Special Olympian Billy gets a little coaching from from HN Greg Harris.