A pair of athletes — Travis and Chris — celebrate at last year’s Indiana Summer Games, which bring together Special Olympics athletes of all ages each June in Terre Haute.
GREENFIELD — Hot dogs and hot rods are on the menu this weekend at Strike Force Lanes bowling alley in Greenfield.
The public is invited to enjoy fresh grilled food while perusing a variety of hot rods, cool cars and vintage vehicles in the alley’s parking lot starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
The event is free but goodwill offerings will benefit Special Olympics of Hancock County, which raises funds to send athletes to the Indiana Summer Games held in Terre Haute each June.
“We raised between $500 and $600 last year,” said Rob Barnhart, who manages Strike Force Lanes with his wife, Linda.
The Hancock County couple have been hosting the annual fundraiser since 2016 as a way to give back to the Special Olympic athletes who bowl at their facility every Saturday.
“You get a lot of hugs on Saturday mornings,” said Barnhart, who donates the food and mans the grill at the annual event.
“It’s great to see how much (the athletes) enjoy coming out to practice. Hosting this fundraiser is our way of giving back to them,” he said.
Michelle Wagner, fundraising and social media chair for Special Olympics of Hancock County, said the cruise-in is a fun way for the community to raise funds to send local athletes to the state Special Olympics each year.
Between 45 and 75 Hancock County athletes with disabilities attend the Indiana Summer Games each year, competing against other athletes across the state in a wide variety of activities like bowling, basketball and golf.
“The money we raise throughout the year goes to help send them to the games and also pay for green fees, bowling fees and costs associated with practicing throughout the year,” said Wagner, whose brother — 58-year-old John Edwards of Greenfield — is a longtime Special Olympics athlete.
As the sibling of an athlete, Wagner knows what an impact Special Olympics can make on an athlete who is perhaps unable to participate in mainstream sports.
“It’s just amazing to see. They love to get together and do something that can show their abilities, and just spend with the friends. It truly means a lot to them,” she said.
Special Olympics of Hancock County has supported athletes ranging in age from 10 to 75, said Wagner, but there are no age limits. All that’s required is the desire to do their best and to follow the Special Olympics motto: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Wagner encourages the public to stop by the cruise-in this Friday night at Strike Force Lanes to enjoy some good food and cool cars while supporting a great cause.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive, anybody who wants to can come out for however long they want. Everyone is welcome,” she said.
Visitors can expect to see a variety of vehicles, many of which are courtesy of the Brandywine Cruisers Car Club, whose members make a point to attend the cruise-in each year.
“We had close to 40 cars there last year,” said Barnhart, who always enjoys the annual car show.
Wagner said the fundraiser is yet another way to offset costs for local Special Olympics athletes, most of whom live on a limited income.
“We cover all the cost for them, and thankfully the community helps out with that,” she said.
In April, Special Olympics of Hancock County raised $8,500 through its first annual Scotch doubles bowling tournament at Strike Force Lanes.
The organization also partnered with Cynthia’s Hallmark in Greenfield this year for a fashion show fundraiser for which the athletes served as models.
The nonprofit hosted a garage sale this summer and works with local restaurants to host dine-to-donate events throughout the year.
“With the money raised throughout the year we’re not only able to send the athletes to the Special Olympics in Terre Haute, but we also hold an awards ceremony for the state games,” said Wagner. “Last year we bought the athletes jackets with their names and the Special Olympics logo on it, which they loved.”
For more information about Special Olympics of Hancock County or this Friday’s cruise-in, visit facebook.com/soinhancockcounty.
