MOI holds first Special Olympic event

Malta’s City Hall became the home of the first Malta Opportunities Inc. (MOI) Special Olympics Recreation Day on Wednesday, May 16.

The super-hero decorated event went from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We didn’t really have a theme, it’s just everyone can be superheroes or stars,” said Sherry Salveson of MOI. “They can do what they want to and they will be successful no matter what.”

The big Special Olympics of Montana event took place from Thursday, May 17 through Saturday, May 19 in Great Falls.

“This is our MOI activity day that we planned because we couldn’t get into the Havre Day Games for Special Olympics with the weather being bad and health issues with some of our clients,” Salveson said. “We are hoping that if things go well this year, we can go bigger and maybe share with Glasgow and Harlem.”

The event featured events like bowling, putt-putt golf, softball toss, a fishing tank, Bocce and a photo stand.

Special Olympics of Montana was also involved with the setup and various other aspects of the event. Donations and other sponsors included Alberston’s, Walleyes Unlimited, Anne and Dave Boothe, The Mint and The GN.

Sixteen MOI clients participated in the event, two of which shared their opinion of hosting the event.

“It was fun but it was long and tiring,” Vanessa “Turbo” Sheehan said.

Sheehan mentioned that bowling was her favorite event.

“Bowling is a fun game to play,” Sheehan said. “I did pretty well. I could’ve done better.”

According to Sheehan, it wasn’t due to nerves.

“There were too many people around,” she said.

Chris Crowe shared what the event was like from his perspective.

“It was tiring,” he said.

Crowe’s favorite events were those of the non-athletic variety.

“Sitting, eating and having fun,” Crowe said.

Having the event in Malta was a good thing according to Crowe.

“We didn’t have to go far,” he said.

Sheehan hopes that MOI will continue to host a local Olympic event.

“We should have a Special Olympics here in Malta,” she said.

All participants received medals at the event.