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Businessolver and its employees have been working in various ways to support Special Olympics during Quarter 1 of 2016. Special Olympics is an organization that helps those with intellectual disabilities fight inactivity and intolerance through the joy of sport.

Sydney Asher, Businessolver Client Relationship Manager, has a special place in her heart for this organization and wants to help get the word out and encourage others to support this organization and volunteer. Here’s her story:

“I started volunteering at Special Olympic events when I was in high school through a group called Volunteer Initiative Program. I initially wanted to be involved because I have an aunt who competed in the Special Olympics for many years and has always LOVED it. I wanted a way to give back to the organization that brought so much joy to my family and this was a great opportunity.  

I started coaching Special Olympics Track and Field my freshman year of high school and decided to become a swimming coach for the three following years. My favorite part of coaching Special Olympics has to be the immense amount of joy I experienced each day, not only by my athlete, but by the entire team.

I worked with a girl named Kate, who was one of the kindest souls I have ever met. Kate was always so excited to see me that she would jump up from her spot on the bench and quickly walk to give me a hug. We would spend an hour and-a-half in the pool each Tuesday and Thursday learning how to do the backstroke and freestyle for her competition in Ames during the State Meet. It didn’t matter how well she performed at the state meet because the pride she had in herself for making it was enough to make any coach proud.

A few months after the Special Olympics season ended, I ran into Kate and her mom while I was working. Kate started crying because she was so happy to see me. I can’t explain the amount of love, friendship, and compassion that the Special Olympics athletes showed me every day and it was truly the best time of my life.

I have continued to stay involved with the Special Olympics organization after high school as a coach by volunteering at the events while I was going to college in Ames, and setting up volunteer opportunities through my previous company in both West Des Moines, Minneapolis, and Seattle. This organization is truly one of the best I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with.”

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 Sydney, in pink, with her fellow Special Olympics coaches.

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