Realtors Open Hearts, Checkbooks for Special Olympics

            Arkansas Special Olympics holds a unique place in the hearts, minds and lives of the more than 7,300 members of the Arkansas Realtors® Association. Since 1986 the Arkansas Realtors® Association has given more than one million six hundred thousand dollars in net contributions to the organization.  Not only has the Arkansas Realtors® Association raised more money for Arkansas Special Olympians than any other organization in Arkansas, the longevity of the project and the fundraising amounts have set a record among all the Realtor® Boards and Associations in the country.

            Each year the ARA encourages its local boards to refocus a little bit of their energy and a lot of their creativity to sponsor fundraising events with the proceeds from every event going to Arkansas Special Olympics.  They’ve done everything from fishing derbies, golf tournaments and silent auctions to trivia nights, Texas Hold ‘em tournaments and teacup auctions.

            When a local Realtor® Board raises funds, part of the money goes to that Board’s Special Olympics Area, part goes to sponsorship of the Special Olympics State Games, and part goes into the Realtors® endowment fund for Special Olympics Arkansas.  Realtor® fundraising has enabled eligible Arkansas athletes to participate in the State Games without charge, whereas all the other states have some sort of participation fee.

Penne McKennie accepts the L. Wayne Camp Award

            During the ARA’s recent annual convention in Rogers, Arkansas, one special Realtor® was recognized with the highest award bestowed upon an individual Arkansas Realtor® for his or her efforts in support of Special Olympics – the L. Wayne Camp Award.  The award, named for ARA past-president Wayne Camp who began the ARA’s support of Special Olympics, recognizes continuing and outstanding volunteerism by a Realtor® for Special Olympics Arkansas.  This year’s recipient is Realtor Penne McKennie of North Little Rock.  She has done everything from escorting a pig around to businesses and refusing to leave with the stinky porker until she got a contribution to raising $3,000 in 30 minutes by offering to swim in Lake DeGray during a mid-February committee meeting.      

            According to the Arkansas Special Olympics website, the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, under the leadership of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, created Special Olympics. Since then it has become the world's largest program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For these individuals, sports and physical activities are the quickest, surest road to good health, personal growth, and self-confidence. Being always told "You can't do it," Special Olympics says, "You can do it. All you need is a chance."

            Originating in 1970, Special Olympics Arkansas held its first Summer Games with 283 athletes competing in various track and field events and has grown to a competition program for athletes wanting to train and compete in athletics, aquatics, softball, volleyball, unified football, power lifting, bocce and cycling. Other Special Olympics Arkansas sports include: basketball, bowling, ice speed and figure skating, floor hockey and gymnastics.

            The success of Special Olympics Arkansas has been made possible by the love and dedication of many volunteers who know that individuals with intellectual disabilities have important contributions to make to society. But the need is still great. In the United States alone, only 33 percent of the individuals with intellectual disabilities who need the program are being reached. Help make Special Olympics a growing program. No matter how you choose to help, your efforts will have an impact on the athletes.

            For further information, contact Special Olympics Arkansas at 501-771-0222 or contact your local Arkansas Realtor® and ask them how you can get involved. 

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House to House is written by Amy Glover Bryant, APR and

distributed weekly by the Arkansas Realtors Association.