THE CROWD:Special Olympics’ golden night

More than 750 guests converged on the Anaheim Marriott Hotel raising $350,000 for the Special Olympics Southern California, Orange County Chapter. To say it was a huge success would be an understatement.

As tradition demands, the Special Olympics gathering includes an honorary procession of Olympians on Parade. The spectacle delights the crowd as U.S. Olympians, professional athletes and Special Olympics athletes join in a march that brings the audience to its feet in joyous applause. The crowd cheered as the procession entered the ballroom and Ed Arnold, local TV anchor, served as master of ceremonies for the event.

Each distinguished athlete was escorted by an equally distinguished Special Olympian. Balboa Island resident Rafer Johnson, a 1956 silver medalist and 1960 gold medalist, was joined by Olympic rower Jan Palchikoff and Monte Nitzkowski, Olympic swimmer and a U.S. and Olympic water polo coach. Former Angels shortstop Jim Anderson; professional football star and winner of the 1973 Heisman Trophy John Cappelletti; Sue Enquist, women’s NCAA softball champion All American and UCLA coach; Major League Baseball pitcher David Frost; Huntington Beach resident Mike White, prominent head football coach for both the pros and college teams; and well-known Angels baseball color analyst Rex Huddler were all on hand to support the Olympians parade.

Madeline Evans, founder of Special Olympics Orange County, has an annual award in her honor called the Madeline Evans humanitarian award, which this year was given to Marilyn Skinner with a special tribute from Rafer Johnson. A second honor, called the Person of the year Award, was presented to Judi Partridge in recognition of her long-standing support of the Special Olympics program. In addition, Sir Eldon Griffith, founder of Special Olympics in the United Kingdom, joined by his wife, Lady Sarah, paid tribute to Partridge for her dedication.

Chaired by the passionate Betty Belden Palmer, with support from a committee including Newport’s Jan Landstrom, Harry Adler, Joann Waldron, Rick Mielke, Sue Bartholomew and Jerry Hime, the event set both a record in attendance and funds raised.

Special Olympics Orange County provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The fifth-annual dinner celebration held in the new Platinum Ballroom at the Anaheim Marriott will help fund all of these activities. Every penny of every dollar supports the Special Olympics cause. In Orange County, the summer sports roster includes aquatics, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, golf and bocce ball. In the fall, organizers sponsor such events as bowling, cycling, soccer, power lifting, roller skating, softball and volleyball. The winter sports schedule features Alpine and cross-country skiing, floor hockey and speed skating.

To manage all of these events and to provide opportunities for the many people involved takes countless volunteer hours, and every dollar raised finds a need to fill. Internationally, the Special Olympics provides sports training to more than 1.3 million people with disabilities, in 170 countries. It is the largest international amateur sports organization in the world. Its motto is “inspire greatness.” Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose sister had intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics offers training that helps people accomplish goals that will translate into competence and success in other avenues of life.

On hand for the festivities were a number of Special Olympians including Scott McCall, Renee Gandara, Jessica Kelly, Michael Magan, Tim Johnson and Jeffrey Preston. Also present were Carly Dodds, Ben Hernandez, Rajan Ghandi, Kenji Horita, Deborah Anderson, Joseph Gorin, Jeannie Harrison, Jennifer Apalategui, Sogol Zaiae and Tara Sarkowzi.

To get involved with Special Olympics Orange County, call (714) 564-8374, or go to www.sosc.org .