Stephens County Special Olympics take the road to compete in Winter Games

A group of athletes with the Stephens County Special Olympics recently set out to compete in the Winter Games hosted in Cobb County.

WNEG News spoke with Kevin Phillips on Friday about the Stephens County’s Special Olympics.

“We got 18 basketball athletes which make up 2 teams going, and also we got a team of bowlers going, so in all we got 24 total going to the games,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the athletes have been practicing for the past several months to be ready for the Winter games.

“They have been working really hard to get ready for the games. They have practice every week, which shows a real commitment for the games,” he said.

He added that without the continual support of local business and organizations the group would not have been able to compete.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley told WNEG News that the Sheriff’s Office provides an escort for the athletes each year.

“This has turned into an annual thing. We are happy to escort them anytime. They always do really well at the games, and they represent Stephens County well,” Shirley said.

Athlete Trey Dunson said he looked forward to competing at the Winter games.

“It’s a good time, I play basketball and that’s always been my sport. Last year was my first time playing at the winter games and it was a lot of fun and just a good time,” Dunson said.

The Stephens County Special Olympics operates solely on donations from the community.

If you would like to make a donation you can do so by calling Phillips at 706-244-4135 or by mail at Stephens County Special Olympics P.O. Box 781, Toccoa GA, 30577.