Dinner, auction to benefit St. Ignatius Special Olympics program
courtesy photo
Mission Bulldog Special Olympic team members pose for a quick photo before a winter event.
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
By Rob Zolman Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS – To help fund Mission’s Special Olympics team, the Post Creek Steak and Tap House is sponsoring a $10-a-plate spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 8 p.m.
On the menu is freshly prepared spaghetti, tossed salad and garlic bread.
Special Olympics was founded to give children or adults with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in competitive physical activity in a fun and safe way.
The year-round sports training and athletic competition program encourages fitness, while providing athletes opportunities to develop and demonstrate independence, self-pride, accomplishment and success through athletics.
According to Mission Bulldog Special Olympics coach Kendal Anderson, the Mission Bulldogs Special Olympics team first formed four years ago with the help of grant funding to start Special Olympic programs within schools on the reservation. Funding from the grant ran out last year.
“We have been trying to find new ways to fundraise for our program. This program is not part of the school, so everything we do is pretty much funded through us,” said Anderson. “Stacey (Roberts-Brooks) at Post Creek Steak and Tap House came up with the idea of the spaghetti feed. She agreed to provide everything for it. This is going to be huge for our program.”
Post Creek Steak and Tap House owner Roberts-Brooks explained, “Getting involved with the Mission Bulldogs program means so much to me. I believe every child no matter what deserves a chance to be recognized for their achievements. Holding this dinner for this program will help with the cost to get these amazing children what they need so they can go compete.”
All proceeds raised from the event will give more than 20 athletes in the Mission program the means to train locally and compete at the state level by supplying uniforms, equipment and travel expenses needed throughout the year.
“It gets pretty pricey,” noted Anderson concerning the cost associated with team travel and lodging.
Guests will also be encouraged to bid on a wide array of silent auction items ranging from a U of M golf package valued at $100 to trusses for a 22x24 garage from Building Materials and Construction Solutions out of Missoula.
“Being able to work with these athletes has been a life changing experience,” said Anderson. “I will do everything I possibly can to make sure that this program is able to continue for them.”
